The Corporate Finance team of Johnston Carmichael, Scotland’s largest independent firm of Chartered Accountants and Business Advisers, has assisted with the sale of an Aberdeen-based lifting and moving business to a Portsmouth-based lifting, transport and storage specialist.

The team recently acted as deal originators and lead advisors to the vendor in the disposal of the trade and assets of Aberdeen-based Plant Shifters, a trading division of Surelift (UK) Limited, to Rapid Response Solutions Limited (“RRS”).  The value of the transaction has not been disclosed.

Plant Shifters are specialists in machinery and equipment movement, relocation, installation and dismantling, with coverage throughout Scotland, the UK and Ireland.  RRS, based in Portsmouth, provide complete turnkey solutions for lifting, machine moves and transportation and are the European distributors for Hydra-Slide hydraulically powered skidding systems.

The acquisition of Plant Shifters will complement and enhance RRS’ current service offering, and introduce their first branch in Scotland. RRS are also opening a new depot in Newcastle, allowing them to fulfil a rising number of UK-wide contracts.

Customers of Plant Shifters will benefit from an expanded range of services and the ability to use RRS’ additional locations throughout the UK for complex lifting and relocation services. Plant Shifters’ already sizeable inventory of lifting equipment will be bolstered by RRS’ Valla mini-cranes, Hydra-Slide jacking and skidding equipment.

The new business will trade as RRS Plant Shifters, and will relocate from Plant Shifters’ current premises on the Kirkhill Industrial Estate in Dyce to a larger, modernised site close by. The company is also looking to recruit, adding to the seven existing staff members. RRS’ senior leadership team has already seen expansion lately, with the recent appointment of a new assistant managing director, operations manager, financial controller and senior technical sales manager.

Speaking about the work that Johnston Carmichael carried out, Graeme Morrison, managing director of Surelift (UK) Limited, said: “The team were fantastic throughout the entire sales process: outlining the various options available; managing proceedings so that I could concentrate on running the business; keeping me informed of progress; and finally matching Plant Shifters to the ideal partner.”