20.06.2016

King acquired

King Vehicle Engineering the parent of Skyking - the UK distributor of Palfinger Platforms and hooklifts, Almac scissor lifts and Easylift platforms has been acquired by HW Martin Group. No details of the transaction have been disclosed.

The King group includes, King Trailers, King Highway Products, King Transport Equipment and Safety Vehicle Hire and Lease. The company was founded in 1962 and owner Mark Carrington joined the business as part of an management buyout in 1994, later gaining 100 percent ownership. The business subsequently diversified into a wider range of specialist vehicles across different market sectors.

HW Martin was established in 1972 as a fencing manufacturer, and its activities now include Industrial fencing, waste and recycling, traffic management and vehicle and equipment maintenance and is a parts and service dealer or DAF trucks. It is based in Alfreton, Derbyshire, with 16 locations from Devon to Scotland and revenues over more than £100 million.

The King group will continue to operate from its base in Market Harborough as a stand-alone business within H W Martins Holdings.

A statement from HW Martin said: “We have had a strong working relationship with the King group for a number of years and have most recently purchased a large number of traffic management IPVs and Waste Hookloader vehicles. We are confident that this acquisition will bring benefits to the both organisations and further demonstrates our commitment to reinvest profits in the Martin group to ensure continued progress and security.”

King's owner and chief executive Mark Carrington added: “Having spent 23 years in the business I was keen to identify a UK purchaser that shared my values for the business that would take a longer term view of moving the business to the next level. I am committed to staying with the business for the foreseeable future to ensure a smooth transition”
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