06.06.2019

RRS acquires Plantshifters

UK lifting and rigging company Rapid Response Solutions (RRS) has acquired Aberdeen based lifting and transport company Plantshifters, and opened a new depot in Newcastle.

Plantshifters, a division of Surelift (UK), will now trade as RRS Plantshifters, the company has plans to add to the seven man team, while owner Graeme Morrison will continue in a consultancy role with RRS Plantshifters.

The company currently operates out of two locations, with one in Dyce, Aberdeen but will relocate to a larger, more modern site in close proximity to Aberdeen Airport. RRS says that the Aberdeen oil, gas and wind power markets are of particular interest, while vehicles from the existing transport fleet can fulfil haulage and crane contracts in the region. The value of the transaction was not disclosed.

The company says the new depot in Newcastle will position it better to fulfil the growth of UK contracts. It is RRS’ fourth depot, with the others in Aberdeen, Portsmouth and Teddington, near Gloucester.
Please register to see all images

Paul Barber of RRS [L] and Graeme Morrison of Plantshifters

Managing director Paul Barber said: “The new depots are all part of the strategic growth of the business. Having had a great deal of exposure through our hydraulic skidding and climbing jack projects, along with our association with Hydra-Slide, we have been receiving bigger and more involved contracts, and needed to bring more skilled labour to the business. Finding the right labour in one location isn’t easy, so we have had to branch out to key locations to source the right staff and efficiently service our customers and future demand.”

“The two sites immediately give us far better coverage of the UK. Personnel will move between the four locations in line with project demands but each will continue to expand and develop a greater regional footprint in their own rights. Plantshifters has been established for over 40 years in Aberdeen and that is history we respect and plan to leverage. The timing of the acquisition was right for all parties versus us necessarily looking to be acquisitive.”