UK & Ireland Top 30 rental companies

This time last year the UK lifting related rental industry was showing strong signs of bouncing back, with utilisation and rates beginning to pick up again after a dreadful second quarter, but uncertainty was high and sure enough Covid-19 came back with a vengeance, although not causing as much disruption as the first time around.

As we have moved through 2021 normality has returned – almost. Most companies are busy now and investing in their fleets, or at least placing orders for new machines, as manufacturer’s lead times grow by the week. As we moved into September HGV driver shortages began to bite, as supermarkets lured crane or big truck mounted lift drivers away, with signing on bonuses and the promise of high hourly pay levels. Just one more challenge, particularly for the crane companies. So far this has not impacted fleet numbers, with most companies feeling that it will eventually sort itself out.

Last year we reported how most of the largest rental companies made substantial staff cut backs, and closed depots. We forecast then that this would play into the hands of the better regional and local companies, and that seems to be what has happened. Which means that some of the ‘consolidation’ that occurred in prior years has been rolled back – as all too often happens.

While the crane market has been a little more settled, all companies are struggling to manage with low rates, increasing staff shortages and the prospect of higher fuel costs next year. Combined with the absolute certainty that crane operator pay will have to increase, owners are being forced to consider future strategies. Meanwhile the tower crane rental business has bounced back more strongly than for mobiles, with the future looking quite bright with the result that companies are adding to their fleets.

Acquisitions

In terms of acquisitions, this past year has been quiet, with just a few significant moves, including AER acquiring Mainline and adding it to its Mr Plant Hire and Drogheda Hire operations. Speedy formally merged all of its previous acquisitions - Prolift, Platform Sales & Hire and Lifterz - into a single entity, while Briggs continued its expansion adding Laois Hire to its stable of access rental companies. GT Access also took over Neon this summer, while last month telehandler rental company Morris Leslie purchased the equipment hire division of Selwood, which included its telehandler fleet.

Methodology

As in previous years, questionnaires were sent to every company that might qualify for any of the various categories or charts.

We improved on last year’s introduction of interactive online forms, resulting in the best participation ever, although it has taken a good deal of time to bring in the last dozen or two laggards. We also follow up on remaining companies with calls or emails, keeping the number of estimated fleets to a minimal. The number of companies asking not to be included dropped back to normal levels, although we did have at least one, which obliges us to estimate the fleet, then cross checking with competitors or major customers. As always, some companies understate their fleets, while others exaggerated. We try and keep an eye out for these but, as always, some make it through.

With the sheer volume of information received it is also almost certain that the occasionally error will creep in. So please inform us of any inaccuracies or discrepancies you may notice, and we will do our best to update the online and digital magazine versions.

Thank You

Finally, and most importantly, a very big thank you to all of the companies that participated, especially those that supported our efforts as sponsors of what we hope will prove to be another useful and insightful report for our many end user readers.