15.01.2025

Bowers acquire HLS

UK based lifting and safety gear supplier Humberside Lifting Services (HLS) has been acquired by Bowers & Bowers Holdings, which is owned by access industry veterans Ben and Malcolm Bowers.

Based in Scunthorpe, Humberside Lifting was established in early 2010 by industry veteran and current owner, Malcolm Armstrong. Today it sells, rents, services, inspects and repairs a wide range of lifting gear and safety equipment, including material lifts, web slings chain hoists, mobile gantries, skates and fall arrest equipment, while also manufacturing bespoke lifting straps.

Operations director Andy Bannister will remain on board under the new ownership to help run, develop and expand the business. In addition to acquiring the company, the Bowers have purchased the freehold on HLS’s Scunthorpe premises which, they say, have up till now, been grossly underused and which are well suited for expansion.

Ben Bowers said: “We have some exciting plans for the business including ways to improve the level of customer service as well as an improved product range for sale and hire. We are pleased that the experienced employees will be staying with the business, and we will be recruiting additional team members in due course.”

His father, access industry veteran and entrepreneur Malcolm retired in 2020, shortly after the two sold their Lifterz business to Speedy Hire in 2019, but says that his is looking forward to helping the business in some key areas, adding: “While family commitments might limit in what I can do on site, but I will enjoy helping where I can, even if it is remotely.”

Malcolm Bowers has been responsible for starting, building and selling three access rental companies, prior to starting Lifterz with Ben in 2006. He founded Access Rental Ltd and then AFI and played an instrumental role in setting up the Access Link.