A UK-based equipment rental company, Charles Wilson, has significantly expanded its global presence through a self-funded acquisition of Australian Boom & Scissor Lift (ABS) in Sydney, New South Wales. This family-owned firm, which earlier acquired MTS Plant Hire in West Yorkshire this year and M&J Hire in 2022, continues to grow both geographically and in its equipment offerings.

Established in 1997, ABS specializes in providing a premium powered access service in metropolitan Sydney. Operating under the Charles Wilson group, ABS will retain its name and branding while extending its long-term rental solutions to areas such as the Blue Mountains, Wollongong, Central Coast, and Newcastle. With a fleet exceeding 300 machines, including diesel and electric scissor lifts and booms, ABS has additional new machines in the pipeline.

Designed for both indoor and outdoor applications, ABS’s largest scissor lifts achieve working heights of up to 26m, while the booms reach heights of 24m. The company also offers electric vertical lifts with platform heights reaching up to 10m. Aligned with Charles Wilson’s commitment to high-quality service, ABS shares a customer-focused philosophy.

Charles Wilson Engineers, encompassing CW Plant Hire, CW Instant Hire, CW Instant Power, and CW Instant Access divisions, boasts a comprehensive product range exceeding 1,000 items. With over 400 employees in the UK and equipment assets surpassing AUD 470 million, the company actively pursues further growth opportunities. The recent acquisitions of MTS Plant Hire and Australian Boom & Scissor Lift position the business to surpass its AUD 205 million revenue target in the forthcoming years.

David Gallagher, Chief Executive, expressed optimism about the strategic move, stating, “Australian Boom & Scissor has an exceptional reputation in the market, making it an ideal addition to Charles Wilson as an integral part of our lifting and access business. This marks a positive entry into the Australian market.”