Hydex sells Görrel to Welsh plant hirer

Hydrex Equipment (UK) has sold its self-drive equipment rental division, Görrel Trading Company, to the Walters Group, a engineering company and plant hirer in Hirwaun, South Wales.

Hydrex said all of Görrel's employees, assets and commercial agreements will be transferred with immediate effect to a new subsidiary of Walters called Görrel Equipment Solutions Ltd.

Görrel specialises in long-term, self-drive rental contracts in the waste, recycling and utilities sectors. It was acquired by Hydrex in 2006 and now has a fleet of more than 200 machines, mainly Volvo and Bell Equipment wheeled loaders.

Hydrex chief executive officer, Carl D'Ammassa, said the company Hydrex wanted to focus its efforts on operated plant, mainly in the railways sector, and had started to look for potential buyers for Görrel a few months ago; "I am delighted to have found a acquirer in the Walters Group who understand the quality service Görrel deliver and are committed to running the operation ‘as-is'.

"Our number one priority now is to work with the Walters Group to ensure a smooth and seamless transition for Görrel's staff and customer base".

Huw Richards, director at Walters Group, said he was delighted to acquire "a successful business that can slot neatly along-side our established range of services. For some time, we have been looking for ways to increase market share on a national basis and this deal will help us to do exactly that.

"Our plan is to continue to build on the success Görrel has had under Hydrex ownership, reassuring customers that it is very much business as usual. I look forward to welcoming the Görrel team on-board and am excited about the future for the Walters Group".

The Walters Group was established in 1982 and initially focused on plant hire, civil engineering, bulk earthworks and opencast activities. More recently it has have diversified into environmental engineering, demolition, property development, renewable energy and leisure. It has an annual turnover of more than £50 m and employs around 300 staff.