28.12.2022

Kavanagh acquires Wm. O'Brien Crane Hire

Kavanagh Crane Hire has confirmed the acquisition of the assets and business of Cork based Wm. O'Brien Crane Hire.

Wm.O’Brien was at one time a leading player in the Irish crane market but had, we understand, scaled back its Irish crane fleet to between eight and 10 cranes, before winding down its crane hire activities a couple of months ago.

Wexford based Kavanagh Crane Hire was established in 1973 and runs one of the largest crane rental fleets in Ireland with just over 50 cranes - mostly All Terrains - from two axle units up to 500 tonners. It operates from four locations with branches in Dublin, Waterford and Carlow. It now adds a fifth location in Cork.
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A statement from Kavanagh said: “Celebrating 50 years in business next year this is an exciting time in our development and growth, and with this takeover we will continue to deliver the service we have become renowned for, with top class personnel, cutting edge crane technology and the support of our loyal customer base. We are looking forward to growing our business again with the Cork depot and office base, servicing the Southwestern region with our ever growing fleet.”

“We would like to welcome our new colleagues the former employees of William O’Brien Crane Hire, to our company. It is most rewarding for us to be able to secure the employment of these highly skilled and knowledgeable personnel.”

William O'Brien Plant Hire as it was previously known, was purchased by William O'Brien Jnr from his parents and siblings in 2007. He had been running the business since 1996 when his father retired. He is reported to have paid around €15 million for the business as a whole. The Crane Hire company was only one part of the company's operations which also includes public storage and which continues to be managed by O'Brien.
William O'Brien founder Willie O’Brien passed away in 2017 at the age of 89.