SHC buys garden machinery firm

5 February 2024

SHC Hire (Skipton Hire Centre) has expanded into a new market, having acquired the Robertshaws Garden Machinery dealership at Kelbrook, near Colne in Lancashire.  

An additional hire presence is being established at the site, which becomes SHC’s tenth location across the north of England, following on from its acquisition of Hartley Hire in 2021. The company’s other depots are in Skipton, Ilkley, Ripon, Northallerton, Morecambe, Lancaster, Carnforth, Kendal and Windermere. 

Robertshaws Garden Machinery was established in 1986 as a family business. After 37 years of service, owners John and Mandy Wilkinson will retire and their son, Chris, will now head up the Robertshaws brand as depot manager under SHC’s ownership. All current staff will remain at the business.  

Matthew Wilson, Managing Director, at SHC Hire, who is pictured (left) with Chris Wilkinson, said: “We are delighted to welcome Chris and the whole Robertshaws team to the SHC family. As a family business ourselves, we share a lot of the same core values as Robertshaws, including our dedication to quality, safety, innovation and high standards of customer service.  

“Garden machinery is a new market for us, one that will add incredible value to our customers while supporting our organic growth vision.” 

Chris Wilkinson added: “We were always aware of SHC Hire as a company that shared our family values of quality and service and when we began speaking to their team it was clear that my parents’ hopes for the future of Robertshaws aligned perfectly with SHC’s vision for growth.  

“The rest of the team and I are excited for this next chapter, which will allow us to take the brand to new heights under SHC Hire’s ownership.” 

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