Friday roundup: Kanamoto’s bold plan | UK rental shifts | Tadano-Manitex deal

Japanese rental giant Kanamoto unveiled an ambitious medium-term business strategy, targeting double-digit revenue growth between 2025 and 2029. Intending to achieve revenues of ¥235 billion (€1.4 billion) by 2029, Kanamoto plans to rely on mergers and acquisitions (M&A), optimised asset utilisation, and international market expansion.

North America remains a critical focus for Kanamoto’s global strategy, with the company exploring potential acquisitions in the region.  Additionally, Kanamoto’s is focusing its investment in cutting-edge technologies like BIM, generative AI, and telematics as it aims to future proof its business.

Lewis Tyler, editor of International Rental News, reported on Kanamoto’s vision and its potential impact on the industry last year.

UK rental sector shifts

The UK rental industry saw significant developments this week:

For starters, UK Tool Hire Group bolstered its powered access market position by acquiring Warren Access. This acquisition expands its reach into the North East, adding a new location in Newcastle upon Tyne while strengthening its networks in the East and West Midlands.

John Wilkinson, owner of UK Tool Hire Group, discussed the challenges and opportunities of integrating Warren Access into the group’s expanding network.

After nearly seven decades in heavy equipment rentals, Buckingham Plant Hire announced a major shift. The company plans to retire its heavy plant fleet, selling 72 machines in February 2025 through Euro Auctions. In the future, it will focus on its ACE Plant brand, which specialises in sustainable, lithium-powered solutions.

Paul Wheeler, the retiring managing director, explained the reasons behind this transformative decision and the company’s next steps.

Image: HSS Hire Group

HSS ProService, the service division of the Manchester-based HSS Hire, appointed David Weinberg as its senior financial software engineer.

Weinberg’s experience at Intuit and expertise in financial software engineering is expected to help drive innovation and growth in HSS ProService’s marketplace platform, the company said.

More acquisitions 

Beyond the UK, industry players continued to consolidate:

French rental company Acces Industrie said it solidified its rank as the country’s third-largest rental firm by acquiring Huet Location. This move adds eight depots and 2,500 machines to its portfolio, growing its network to nearly 50 depots nationwide.

In Asia, Tadano Ltd., the Japan-based crane and aerial work platform manufacturer, completed its acquisition of  the US-based Manitex International. This marks a significant milestone in Tadano’s global expansion.

Toshiaki Ujiie, president of Tadano, explained how integrating Manitex’s expertise with Tadano’s resources will enable the company to better serve infrastructure, heavy industry, and construction markets worldwide.

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