UK based Elliotts Builders Merchants, a large regional operator in the South of England, has acquired a rental company - New Forest Hire.
New Forest is located in Totton in the greater Southampton area, and mostly rents small earthmoving equipment, along with alloy access towers, ladders, material lifts and vacuum equipment but so far no aerial lifts or telehandlers. The company was established in 2007 by David and Kim McKulloch and acquired by the current owner Stuart Long in 2014.
New Forest Hire will continue to trade as New Forest Hire with the same people and location working with in the Elliotts group.
Stuart Long of New Forest (L) with Tom Elliott of Elliotts
Southampton based Elliotts was established in 1843 and operates from 13 branches in the region. It appears to have been on a modest acquisition trail recently, but has never dealt in construction equipment or rental, until now. For the year to the end of 2023, it had revenues of £91.6 million with a pre-tax profit of £2.6 million both slightly lower than for 2022.
Chief executive Tom Elliott said: “Our long term aim is for Elliotts to become a complete ‘one stop shop’ to help our customers build. Acquiring New Forest Hire marks a significant step in expanding our product offering and gives us the flexibility to offer our customers additional value through an easy to access hire option for any equipment or plant machinery that they may need.”
“New Forest Hire’s strong local reputation and specialist expertise complement our 183 year foundation of customer service and industry knowledge. I am really excited to welcome them to the group and look forward to working together to build an exciting future together.”
Stuart Long added: “I am proud of what we have achieved at New Forest Hire and today marks an exciting new era for the company to be joining the Elliotts family of businesses. I am sure the business will go from strength to strength whilst retaining the high level of service that our customers are used to.”
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