09.11.2023

Thomas takes Mulholland

UK rental company Thomas Plant Hire has acquired Scotland’s Mulholland Plant Services.

Thomas will absorb the Mulholland business, which is based in West Calder - between Edinburgh and Glasgow into its network and change its name. Mulholland and Thomas are mainly earthmoving rental companies, but each of them has a few telehandlers in their fleets. Mullholland is managed by CPA chairman Steven Mulholland who will remain on board under the new owners.

Thomas Plant operates from 13 locations and was established in North Wales in June 2000, still family owned and managed, with group revenues of £94.5 million in the year to the end of May and a pre-tax loss of £581,000. The Thomas Plant Hire element of the business reported revenues of £43.2 million for the same period with a pre-tax profit of £324,000.

Ian McMillan of Thomas said: “We are delighted to announce this latest acquisition. This is a good fit for us, as we have long had ambitions to cross the border into Scotland. Like Thomas Plant Hire, Mullholland is a family run business with very similar values to our own. Their ethos is aligned with ours, as is its fleet size. We envisage substantial growth in Scotland with this acquisition and 2024 will be a very exciting year.”

“The changeover to Thomas Plant Hire takes place with immediate effect, with all employees being retained, and highly valued as the business transitions, with Steven Mulholland remaining in post to oversee operations. We also look forward to meeting all our existing customers, as well all the new ones we trust we will attract in Scotland as the Thomas Group name becomes established.”

"The new depot will be fully stocked in the coming weeks allowing us to offer the full range of equipment our clients across the UK have become accustomed to. The group's offering in Scotland will include both self-drive and operated machinery. A major part of our sustained growth in the plant hire sector has been through strategic acquisitions, with recent names acquired including Hogg Hire, Kaill Plant, Diggers of Bury and Hawkrent. Our market reach is ever extending as we see a continued growth of approximately 30 percent, year on year in terms of fleet size, and turnover.”