Finning (UK) expands power rentals with acquisition

UK and Ireland Caterpillar dealer Finning (UK) has acquired power rental specialist John F Hunt Power Group. The price has not been disclosed.

John F Hunt is a UK-based rental business with six locations and a fleet of around 2,200 gensets. It reported revenue of £49.9 million for the year to 31 March this year, with 61% of that related to rental and the remainder in fuel sales.

Finning (UK) said around 145 John F Hunt employees will join the company, boosting Finning (UK)’s workforce to approximately 1,900 people in the UK and Ireland.

Image: Finning (UK)

The acquired business will operate under the trading name ‘John F Hunt Power Group Ltd, A Finning Company’ and Finning (UK) said customers will see business continuity, with contracts, account managers, pricing arrangements and customer contacts unchanged

‘Broader range of products’

Finning (UK) said the acquisition supported its strategy to both enhance its customer experience and broaden the range of products and services it offers.

Mark Albiston, director, Electric Power & Engineering, Finning (UK), said; “This is an exciting milestone for both organisations. John F Hunt Power Group Ltd. has built a strong reputation for technical expertise, customer focus and service delivery, making it a natural fit with Finning.

“By bringing our organisations together, we are strengthening the breadth of expertise, products and services available to customers across the UK and Ireland.

“This acquisition supports our long-term growth ambitions and enhances our ability to help customers meet their evolving power requirements.”

‘A new chapter’

David Hunt, managing director of John F Hunt Power Group, added that it was an exciting new chapter for the group; “Our business has always been built around delivering exceptional service, technical expertise and trusted customer relationships.

“Becoming part of Finning allows us to build on those foundations while retaining the values and culture that have contributed to our success.

“We are excited about the opportunities this creates for our employees, customers and partners, and we look forward to continuing to serve our customers as John F Hunt Power Group Ltd, A Finning Company.”

Finning (UK) is the UK and Irish subsidiary of Canada-based Finning, which is Caterpillar dealer also in parts of Canada, Chile, Argentina and Bolivia. It is one of the largest Cat dealers in the world.

Finning also has a history in the UK rental sector, having been owner of the Hewden rental business between 2001 and 2010. Kevin Parkes, who led Hewden for a time under its Finning ownership, is now CEO of the Finning Group based in Canada.