Dutch tool and plant hire firm Boels snaps up UK rival

“This culture fits perfectly with Boels’ principles,” – Boels Rental UK managing director, Asif Latief. 

A Dutch tool and plant hire firm has snapped up a UK rival.  

Boels Rental, headquartered in Sittard, Netherlands, has acquired plant and machinery hire company, Illumin8 Lights Limited. 

Battlesbridge-based Illumin8 specialises in lighting tower rental, with clients in construction, civil engineering, rail, and events and TV and film. 

Boels Rental UK managing director, Asif Latief, said the move will support the growth of the Group’s lighting division in the UK. 

While Illumin8 managing director, Neil Fenwick, said it aligned with his company’s ambitious growth plans. 

Illumin8 was founded by Fenwick in 2015. Most of its fleet comes with an advanced telemetry, wireless tracking and monitoring system, and it supports the use of HVO fuel (hydrotreated vegetable oil, sometimes known as Renewable Diesel) across its assets.  

Boels has around 400 locations across 18 countries and employs approximately 6,900 people. 

“In order to achieve our ambitious growth plans, we felt that aligning with an international group like Boels Rental would provide us with the platform to grow”, said Fenwick. “I am proud of the entire team at Illumin8 and I’m confident we have a bright future as part of the Boels family.” 

Latief added: “We are very happy to welcome Neil Fenwick and the Illumin8 team to the Boels family. Boels has worked alongside Illumin8 for a number of years on very high-profile projects and events, and their product range, expertise and service levels are second to none. Illumin8 have forged a reputation built on providing high quality products and customer service and this culture fits perfectly with Boels’ principles.” 

Boels financial report (2021) 

• € 422.2 million EBITDA 
• €1.3 billion in sales  

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