AER Rents has announced the acquisition of Chippindale Plant Ltd, a leading independent provider of construction equipment for hire and sale in the north of England.
Founded by Wilfred Chippindale in 1949, the company is now one of the largest privately owned hire and sales businesses in the UK. Since joining in the 1980s, Nigel and Peter Chippindale have earned several awards and built a solid reputation for quality and customer care.
Chippindale provides a complete hire and sales service for plant, tools, attachments and site accommodation throughout the entire north of England and beyond. It has eight strategically placed depots, in Leeds, Catterick, Huddersfield, Keighley, Newcastle, Manchester, Sheffield and York, employing 120 staff. Nigel and Peter will continue in their current roles as joint-MDs.
This latest acquisition strengthens AER Rents' UK presence, allowing the group to offer a widened range of products and services to its customers, including the option to purchase new equipment through Chippindales dealership agreements with Volvo, Bomag, Mecalac, Epiroc, Atlas Copco, Stihl & Belle Group.
AER Rents, which is part of O’Flaherty Holdings, has grown quickly in recent years. Its first acquisition was Mr Plant Hire in 2014, followed by Ireland-based Drogheda Hire & Sales and Midlands-based Mainline Group in 2020. As reported last year, AER Rents also purchased Welfare 4 Hire, the specialist mobile welfare provider. Each business has retained its identity, while capitalising on the strengths of their collective offerings and reach across the UK and Ireland.
AER Rents will continue to expand its presence in the plant hire market through a combination of strategic acquisitions and organic growth. The group was advised by KPMG Corporate Finance & Legal Services, Dublin, with legal support from Shoosmiths in Manchester. Chippindale were supported by Sentio Partners, with legal services from Gordons LLP, both located in Leeds.
Commenting on the move, Nigel and Peter Chippindale said: “We are delighted to be joining AER Rents fold. It’s a perfect fit not only for Chippindale Plant and its employees, but also for our customers. AER Rents are a forward-thinking organisation with an eye on expansion. The acquisition will allow us access to significant further investment to enhance and expand the range of equipment we offer. We’re really looking forward to working with the AER Rents team and their existing plant hire companies.”
www.chippindale-plant.co.uk
www.aerrents.com
