07.04.2008

Ainscough plays a Jack

Ainscough Cranes Hire has acquired James Jack Group Lifting Services of Invergordon, Scotland, an official announcement is due tomorrow, but we have confirmed that a deal was signed on Friday evening.

While no details are yet available we understand that the deal covers the entire business, which includes haulage, Stevedoring and warehousing. In the 2007 Cranes&Access top 30 UK/Ireland crane rental companies James Jack was estimated to be the seventh largest mobile crane rental company, with around 60 cranes, the largest of which is a 500 tonner.

The company operates from four locations – Invergordon, Aberdeen, Dundee and Grangemouth. Ainscough has three locations in Scotland, Glasgow, Falkirk and Edinburgh. We understand that Jimmy Jack, who is 67 this week, has agreed to remain with the business for three to six months.

James Jack Lifting covers Scotland for the UK's National Crane Hire Group, the association of independent crane rental companies that have grouped together to provide a national service for their customers.


Vertikal Comment

James Jack is a first class business with some first rate employees, with its strong base servicing the offshore industry it has been extremely profitable in recent years. One assumes that Ainscough will have paid a good price for a business that significantly extends its coverage of Scottish market and penetration of the offshore energy market.

For Jack, he has a good exit, one assumes prior to the capital gains tax changes that came into force over the weekend and hands the business over to a highly professional company that should prove to be a good home for Jacks team.

One assumes that the National Crane Hire Group will now be on the lookout for a new partner for Scotland?