Windsor extends share of the market with acquisition of Geolift
ONE OF the UK’s largest suppliers of forklifts, access and materials handling equipment (MHE) has secured an acquisition to help increase its market share.
Hull-headquartered Windsor Materials Handling has acquired Southampton-based Geolift Ltd after gaining £3.3m in funding from Santander Corporate & Commercial.
The acquisition, which is part of its regional expansion strategy, means Windsor now has 13 operating locations across the country, including facilities in Birmingham, Chelmsford, East Kilbride, Peterborough and St Helens.
Established in 1977 by chairman Gerry Burton, the familyrun business offers a wide range of sales, service and hire services, including a fleet of more than 800 forklifts, pallet trucks, stackers and access platforms.
The firm is a regional and national partner to brands such as Doosan, Unicarriers, Baumann, Komatsu, Kalmar and JLG and serves major UK businesses including Cargill, British Sugar, Cranswick, Novartis, Howarth Timber, Metsä Wood and Sofidel.
Under the leadership of Stephen and Jonathan Burton, the business has grown its annual turnover over the past 10 years from £8.5m to more than £24m.
Gerry Burton, the chairman of Windsor Materials Handling, said: “We have gone from strength to strength in a highly competitive business in a contested market, and we have strong aspiration for continued growth and expansion.
“Santander has delivered a competitive service that has been fundamental in executing our latest acquisition in Southampton, a key market for us and one in which we intend to invest and grow.”