Blackpool-based Fox Brothers has acquired Clive Hurt Plant Hire Limited.

The acquisition brings together two of the North West's premier operators and will create a combined business with an annual turnover of close to £50 million.

Paul Fox, Group MD of Fox Brothers, said the acquisition will be a catalyst for future growth and create significant opportunities to compete for larger projects in terms of scale, scope and complexity, as well as expanding the group’s geographical coverage.

The combined 150-strong fleet of wagons makes it the largest in the region, with the 70 from Fox Brothers joining forces with 80 from Clive Hurt, while the group also operates a significant fleet of plant and machinery with around 400 machines.

The Group management team will be led by Paul Fox (Group MD), Alan Fox (Director), John Flood (Group Commercial and Strategic Director), Lee Stringer (Commercial Director) and Richard Hurt, (Operations Manager), while Clive Hurt will remain in the business.

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Fox Brothers and Clive Hurt Plant Hire will continue under their existing brands, and day-to-day operations will be carried out from their respective locations.

Mr Fox said: "This acquisition is an incredible opportunity to unlock the potential of both businesses. Even before this deal we were considered leaders in our respective fields, now, it will create further opportunities for the two firms to take advantage of. We both have strong skillsets that can be brought together very effectively.

"We will be one of the main providers of earthworks and aggregates transport in the North West and we will be able to provide a ‘one-stop shop’ solution for housebuilders, infrastructure, construction and civils contractors. We will also have the capability to tackle larger and more complex engineering projects.

"Fox is a data-driven business with fleet optimisation at the core of our operations. There is significant growth potential for the Group by improving efficiencies across the whole fleet."

This acquisition will also significantly enhance the combined Group's buying power for wagons, plant, equipment, fuel, tipping and aggregates.

As part of the deal Fox Brothers’ property company Fox Brothers (Blackpool) Limited has agreed to purchase Clive Hurt’s Sandham House depot in Leyland.