Fri, 16 May 2025 | BUSINESS SALE
Aerial Platforms Limited (APL), a specialist rental provider of powered access lifting equipment for working-at-height which has operations across the North of England, has been acquired by Centurion Group.
APL is headquartered in Leigh and has additional hubs in Newcastle and Carlisle. The company is an owner-managed Mobile Elevating Work Platform (MEWP) business that delivers equipment including boom lifts, safety-driven scissor lifts and telehandlers across sectors such as infrastructure, construction and retail.
The firm is a well-recognised brand with a strong reputation. Joining Centurion will bolster the company’s financial scale and provide additional backing for investments in new rental assets, infrastructure and capabilities.
For Centurion, the deal supports the continued growth of its presence in the UK and Europe, bringing in three new operating locations, as well as access to major industrial customers within the lifting equipment market.
Since forming in 2017, Centurion has grown organically and through acquisitions from around $200 million in revenue to approximately $500 million at the end of last year. M&A has formed a core part of its strategy, with the company completing 21 acquisitions since 2017, including deals in the UK, Europe, Canada, US, Australia and UAE.
It has used M&A to expand into high growth end markets such as infrastructure, defence, renewables, minerals and government and has an active pipeline of future acquisition opportunities.
Centurion CEO Euan Leask commented: "We’re very pleased to welcome APL to Centurion. The business has a strong reputation across the UK in the powered access market, making it a great addition to our UK & Europe operations.”
"The acquisition not only expands our footprint across England, but also strengthens our position in the construction, infrastructure and retail markets, and grows the range of lifting services we can offer our customers.”
Cooper Parry advised APL shareholders on the deal. Cooper Parry partner Peter Williams said: "Aerial Platforms expertise and high-quality service in the MEWP market make it a perfect fit for Centurion Group, bringing opportunities to further scale their UK operations. We look forward to seeing Aerial Platforms thrive as part of Centurion Group’s global platform."
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