Kiloutou expands in central Germany

Kiloutou has acquired German access rental company UKA+HAUKE Arbeitsbühnen for an undisclosed price. The company rents aerial platforms and telehandlers from four locations in central Germany.

Kiloutou’s managing director for Germany, Nils Altrogge (centre), with Helen and Ralf Uka, founders and managing directors of UKA+HAUKE Arbeitsbühnen (Photo: Kiloutou)

UKA+HAUKE was founded in 1992 by Ralf and Helen Uka and is based in Sömmerda, near Erfurt in Thuringia. It has further depots in Chemnitz, Dresden and Gotha, employs 20 people, and runs a fleet of more than 275 aerial platforms and telehandlers.

The deal continues Kiloutou’s recent record of acquisitions. It has made two deals in France in the past eight months and one in Italy, as well as last year’s acquisitions of Vendap in Portugal and GSV in Denmark.

Kiloutou said the addition of UKA+HAUKE would strengthen its coverage around Erfurt, Chemnitz and Dresden, and take its network to 18 locations in Germany.

Nils Altrogge, managing director of Kiloutou Germany, said the deal was a “milestone” for the business in Germany; “With the new locations in the high-potential and dynamic German states of Thuringia and Saxony, we are increasing our market penetration in the east and consistently pursuing our philosophy of local customer proximity.”

Helen and Ralf Uka, founders of UKA+HAUKE, said they were delighted with the transaction; “This will allow our teams in Saxony and Thuringia to continue to develop and expand our market share, which has grown steadily over the last 30 years.

UKA+HAUKE runs a fleet of 275 units from five locations in central and eastern Germany. (Photo: Kiloutou)

“Due to a similar philosophy and new synergies, we personally believe in the development project of Kiloutou and are pleased that our employees and customers will benefit from the entrepreneurial expertise, new investments and a wider range of aerial work platforms.”

Olivier Colleau, CEO of Kiloutou, added that the deal illustrated its ability to “federate high-calibre regional players with a strong local presence, around our development project.

“With this approach, we plan to be present in the most important markets in Germany through selected acquisitions and targeted branch openings. I would like to warmly welcome the team members of UKA+HAUKE Arbeitsbühnen to the Kiloutou Group.”

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