Impact Handling joins Aprolis to form Europe’s leading multi-brand material handling group
Impact, the UK material handling specialist, has been acquired by Groupe Monnoyeur subsidiary Aprolis and marks a key step in the MHE division’s international growth strategy.
The move will see the Impact group of companies maintain its operational structure along with its existing management teams, while benefiting from natural synergies across the wider group as well as enhanced economies of scale and access to pan-European resources.
Aprolis is now Europe’s leading multi-brand material handling equipment rental company, with a purchase volume of 10,000 new pieces of equipment per year. With a consolidated turnover of more than 370 million euros and a presence in 7 countries, the new group will benefit from shared expertise in many growing sectors.
“With this operation, Aprolis consolidates its position as leader in multi-brand and multi-equipment rental in the handling sector,” says Benjamin de Castelnau, CEO of Aprolis. “This merger between two companies with complementary activities that share the same strategic vision will allow us to extend our offers to high-potential sectors.”
The synergies between Impact Handling and Aprolis are indeed striking. Both organisations independently operate exclusive local distribution for a number of common premium handling brands, including CAT® Lift Trucks, Konecranes lift trucks and Carer heavy duty electric lift trucks. The companies also represent the same leading global equipment brands, including Heli and Hangcha, as official local dealers. This makes the acquisition both a natural fit and a logical step for the long term growth of both companies.
Terry Kendrew, Managing Director at Impact Handling notes, “We have enjoyed a long and close working relationship with Aprolis over many years, so this development marks an obvious progression for both our companies. The acquisition is great news for our UK customer base and it represents an exciting alternative for the wider market.” Kendrew adds, “Our combined buying power, as well as our access to equipment, parts and expertise, is now truly unrivalled across Europe.”
Impact expects the move to bring immediate benefits to both its local and major account customers, who will benefit from enhanced economies of scale and an even stronger relationship with its OEM manufacturers. Customers with pan-European locations will further benefit from extended resources and a common service offering across borders.
Impact’s ongoing investment in high stock levels of new and refurbished equipment, as well as supporting parts, is reflected across Aprolis’ other MHE operations, giving the combined organisation immediate access to a remarkably diverse range of handling equipment from leading manufacturers and specialist providers.
Impact continues to offer its dynamic financing and purchasing models, which offer a flexible combination of long term rental, short term hire and outright purchase – with the new acquisition ensuring these continue to be delivered with the most competitive possible pricing.