AER Rents has announced the acquisition of Hudson Lifting Ltd, a leading independent provider of hire, sales, service and testing of lifting equipment.
Founded by Jeff Hudson and Danny Smalldridge in 2018, Kevin Lewis also joined the team andthe company has grown steadily from its base in East Tilbury. Further depots were opened in Dartford and West Drayton to support the London lifting market through its team of 23 staff.
In addition to hire, Hudson also sells a wide range of lifting equipment and accessories from suppliers including Tractel, Genie Industries, George Taylor, Hi-Force (HES), CMCO, Modulift and Tiger. Hudson also provides bespoke lifting gear solutions for one-off requirements through their in-house design team, and can conduct tests and examinations through their LEEA qualified engineers.
This latest exciting acquisition strengthens AER Rents UK specialist services, allowing the group to offer a widened range of products and services to its customers in tandem with the general rental offerings from Mr Plant Hire, Drogheda Hire & Sales, Mainline & Chippindale Hire & Sales.
AER Rents and Hudson Lifting will execute an agreed growth plan which will see Hudson establish a UK-wide network of 12 depots over the next five years.
Part of O’Flaherty Holdings, AER Rents first invested in plant hire in 2014 with the acquisition of London-based Mr Plant Hire. In 2020 also acquired Ireland-based Drogheda Hire & Sales & Midlands-based Mainline Group. In 2021 the company purchased Welfare 4 Hire, followed by the acquisition of Chippindale Hire & Sales in 2022. Each business has retained its identity, while capitalising on the strengths of their collective offerings and reach across the UK and Ireland and this will continue with Hudson Lifting Ltd.
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. Hudson Lifting were supported by Nelsons Law LLP, located in Nottingham and Denmark Forrester located in Heybridge in Essex.
In a separate comment, Jeff Hudson said: ‘’ This is a huge opportunity to take Hudson Lifting to the next level and truly become the UK’s most significant provider oflifting equipment to hire, purchase or repair throughout the UK’’
