Mainline on track for ongoing success
2 December 2022
Celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, Mainline Tool and Plant Hire continues to successfully explore new markets and has plans for future expansion.
Founded in May 1982 by Keith and Carole Williams, and operating from a modest unit on the Midland Road Industrial Estate in Swadlincote, the business initially operated as a ‘man with a van’ serving local contractors with a fleet of basic equipment like a cement mixer and a handful of tools. The first month’s turnover amounted to £655.74 including VAT.
The operation outgrew a series of premises and finally settled at a purpose-built unit in the town in October 1994. The tool, plant and access fleet currently comprises more than 3,000 machines. Mainline was acquired by the AER Rents group in 2020 and earlier this year achieved IPAF’s Rental Plus Gold Standard accreditation.
With AER Rents’ backing, the company has been able to further its expansion, with an investment in new machines worth £3 million planned for 2022-23.
In recent years, Mainline has established a fleet of ‘super MEWPS’ with a very long reach. These include Holland Lift machines like the HL 340 D30 Megastar, HL 275 D25 diesel scissor lift and HL 330 E14 electric scissor lift, and super-sized boom lifts like the Genie ZX135.
Demand for such large machines began to rise during the Covid-19 pandemic as lockdowns led to an internet shopping revolution. This in turn led to logistics companies responding rapidly by building larger and taller warehouses and distribution centres, and Mainline showed its ability to react with similar speed to cater for their equipment demands.
The company has also invested in environmentally friendly machines including electric, hybrid and diesel Stage V models for customers working in indoor locations and Clean Air Zones.
Keith and Carole are stepping down from Mainline but plans are in place to expand the business with new personnel joining the current 50-strong workforce, and a new greenfield site opening in the West Midlands.
This projected city centre site would allow for further diversification into more specialist MEWP orientated machines, a more concentrated low/mid-level access product range and additions to the tool and equipment fleet.
