UK Hire buys JPS
4 October 2022
Harlow-based JPS Platforms and JPS Group Services were acquired recently by UK Hire Group, which has plans to grow the companies and to introduce a number of new services to the operations.
As its name suggests, JPS Platforms has a considerable fleet of powered access machinery, while JPS Group Services offers a broad spread of activities including tool and plant hire, environmental services and welfare.
A separate business, JPS Scaffolding, is not part of the deal which was brokered by The Hire Exchange consultancy and was completed in August.
UK Hire’s Chief Executive is Adam Hems whose background is in the development and installation of IT services and data networks for organisations, although his father ran a plant sales business.
The idea for establishing UK Hire as an acquisition vehicle came about during the business hiatus following the Covid-19 lockdowns, with ambitions to build a modern, technically focussed hire business.
Other senior personnel include non-executive director Neil O’Brien, once group finance director with Speedy Hire, Lee Simpson as chief finance officer and Kenneth Andrew as chairman.
“The fit for the parties involved in the acquisition was just right,” said Adam Hems. “JPS Platforms and JPS Group Services supply a broad variety of customers throughout Greater London from a large two-acre site in Harlow which has considerable scope for expansion. The sellers of the business were reassured that existing staff would be retained, with plans for further growth.”
“The powered access fleet has already grown from 600 to 700 machines and we have recruited more staff for the businesses, with managing director John Young remaining in position running JPS Platforms and Shane Walker joining from Brandon Tool Hire as general manager of JPS Group Services.
“We see this as an exciting time for tool and plant hire,” continued Adam. “Large projects are starting up again following the pandemic disruptions and contractors are catching up to meet demand.”
He says that UK Hire plans to introduce a number of new initiatives in the new year and that it is open to exploring other acquisition opportunities.
Pictured from left are Shane Walker, John Young, Adam Hems and Lee Simpson.
