04.08.2025

MBO at AB2K (AB2000)

The Quattro Group has sold its Scottish crane rental business AB2K (AB2000) via an all share Management Buy Out, deal, seven years after having acquired it. See: AB 2000 acquired

A joint statement from Quattro/AB2K said: “Quattro Group has confirmed the sale of its Scottish-based subsidiary, in a management buyout. This strategic move is designed to allow both companies to specialise in their respective core industries.”

The buyout is led by the new joint managing directors of AB2K, Stuart Gardner and Mark Kirkwood, who have formed a new jointly owned company - Kirkner Holdings which has acquired all of the company’s equity. No further details of the transaction, which formally closed on July 25th have been disclosed. Stuart Gardner has been with the company for more than 21 years and was previously operations manager, while Mark Kirkwood joined the business in 2017 from Quatro and was previously service manager.

The Quattro announcement on Friday stated that the aim is for Quattro to concentrate on its primary rail related equipment business, while AB2K operates as an independent standalone company focusing purely on the rental of construction equipment.

Managing director John Murphy said: “AB2K has been a valued part of the Quattro group for the past six years. However, as our core focus on rail plant has increasingly diverged from AB2K’s construction plant operations, we recognised that it was the right time to part ways. In a mutually beneficial agreement, we have completed the successful sale of AB2K through a management buyout by Stuart Gardner and Mark Kirkwood, who will take the reins as joint managing directors in Scotland. Their deep sector knowledge and leadership experience make them ideally placed to guide AB2K through its next chapter.”

“Quattro group remains incredibly proud of AB2K’s achievements and fully supports this transition. We wish Stuart and Mark every success as they return to their construction roots and break new ground with an independent company. We’re confident this move unlocks greater value for both businesses: allowing Quattro to continue making tracks in rail, while AB2K digs deeper into what it does best.”

Stuart Gardner and Mark Kirkwood added: “We have greatly appreciated our time within the Quattro group and everything we’ve learned along the way, but now it’s time to get back to our roots. We’d like to sincerely thank John Murphy for his trust in us. He could have sold AB2K to anyone, but he chose to back us. We’re excited for the road ahead and to lead AB2K into an independent future, with a strong leadership team and a new vision, focused solely on construction plant hire.”

Glasgow based AB2K runs a fleet of mobile cranes up to a 130 tonne All Terrain, and a fixed frame telehandler fleet that runs from compact models up to 18 metres lift heights. This alongside general construction equipment and sweepers and suction equipment.