Boels acquires Abird

Boels Rental has announced it has acquired Netherlands-based Abird from private equity investor NPM for an undisclosed fee.

Abird operates throughout the Netherlands, Germany and Belgium, and achieves an annual turnover of €27 million. The company has seven branches and employs 127 people. It specialises in the rental of industrial tools, welding equipment, hoisting and lifting gear, and air, light and power apparatus.

Pierre Boels, CEO of Boels Rental, said, “We are very pleased with this acquisition. Abird is a large independent industrial equipment provider in the Netherlands, with a strong regional presence in Western-Germany and Belgium.

“Although Boels is already active in the same market segment, the acquisition of Abird represents an important milestone in our growth strategy.”

Boels added that the companies’ combined would work towards its goal of becoming the most important equipment provider for the petrochemical and other industrial sectors.

Meanwhile, Michel Hogervorst, managing director, Abird, said, “Boels has given us the opportunity to develop further at a fast pace in the industrial market at home and abroad.

“Because of the acquisition, we shall be able to continue to invest in our rental fleet and our staff will be able to carry on expanding their product specialisms. Knowledge, safety and quality are vitally important to our customers and Boels will help us deliver all three.”

This year has also seen Boels enter the UK market with the acquisition of Supply UK Group.