Bristol-based tool hire firm Brandon Hire has acquired surveying and construction specialist Phoenix Surveying Equipment. Under the pre-Christmas deal Phoenix, which hires, sells and repairs surveying equipment to customers across the country, will continue as a separately-branded business. The company, founded in 1977, has its head office in Yate and employs 50 staff at five depots.
Brandon managing director Tim Smith said: “Phoenix is a great company with a strong reputation. Key to its success is its product strength and its people, who are experts at what they do. It will continue as a separate business, although, clearly, the fact that we are both working within the same sectors is an advantage for our customers.
"Despite the difficult economic climate, Brandon Hire has delivered a strong performance in the past 12 months and this latest acquisition is just another sign that we are continuing to look for new opportunities for growth."
Brandon Hire, which specialises in lifting gear hire, pipe hire and toilet hire, was sold by builders merchant chain Wolseley in 2010. Over the years the firm has gone from a small private business to a stock market-quoted national operator. It turned over £103m and filed pre-tax profits of nearly £7m in the 17 months to December 31, 2010.
