Blackledge Plant Hire is Fox’s third local acquisition in less than 18 months as its seeks to position itself as the leading haulage and plant hire specialist in the region.
Established in the 1970s in Bamber Bridge, Blackledge Plant Hire is a second generation, family-run business with 40 machines and 14 trucks.
Fox has made several moves to expand its capacity and reach in recent years. In September 2020 it took over Clive Hurt (Plant Hire) Limited, based in Leyland. Then in August 2021 it acquired JJ O’Grady, based in Lostock Hall, south of Preston.
Fox Group now boasts a combined fleet of 230 wagons (including two new Volvo FE Electric trucks as of next month) and more than 440 items of plant and machinery, together with more than 530 employees. It turned over £16m in 2020. The group is now heading for £85m turnover for 2022, the directors say.
Managing director Paul Fox said: “This acquisition makes perfect sense for us. Blackledge is a well-run business with great people and has a track record of providing excellent services to a wide range of clients in the local area. It also means that we get a welcome boost to the group’s existing fleet of quality vehicles and plant.”
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