Select Plant Hire
Select Plant Hire is a UK construction equipment hire and integrated site services provider (Dartford-based, Laing O'Rourke subsidiary) serving major infrastructure projects with lifting, plant, modular, power, piling, and inspection services, distinguished by the world's largest battery-powered crawler crane fleet.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1990
- HeadquartersDartford, United Kingdom
- Headcount501–1,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Select Plant Hire does
Select Plant Hire is a UK-headquartered (Dartford, Kent) construction equipment hire and integrated site services provider, wholly owned by Laing O'Rourke Group and operating since 1990 with 501-1,000 employees. The company rents a diversified fleet spanning lifting solutions (tower cranes, crawler cranes including seven battery-powered units — the world's largest such fleet — and mobile cranes), general plant (excavators, telehandlers, rollers, dumpers, survey equipment), modular accommodation (over 5,000 units delivered on flagship UK projects), piling and concrete pumping, hoists and MEWPs, power solutions (AMPD Enertainer, Dumarey Flybrid, Dumarey Revolution Battery, Zenobē Powerskid), engineering surveying and monitoring, UKAS-accredited test and inspection services, and a Training Academy delivering CPCS, NOCN, and IPAF qualifications. Underlying technology emphasises sustainability — 84% of plant and equipment is electric or battery-powered — with proprietary integrations of battery-powered heavy equipment and novel energy storage products designed to displace diesel generators on construction sites.
The business operates on a project-based, multi-year hire and services model with custom quote-based pricing, selling directly to enterprise construction and infrastructure clients (HS2, Thames Tideway, Battersea Power Station, Heathrow T2, Manchester Airport, Elizabeth Line). Revenue streams are predominantly recurring hire-based, supplemented by professional services revenue from inspections, training, and logistics. Distribution is anchored in a UK depot network plus a Select Plant Australia subsidiary in North Sydney, with go-to-market executed through direct enterprise field sales and reference-driven demand from major infrastructure projects. The 2025 acquisition of Explore Transport's civil plant and tool hire business, alongside new product launches (Revolution Battery, 11 Skyjack electric MEWPs, Casagrande hybrid piling rig) and a 2024 leadership overhaul, indicate an active growth and reintegration phase supported by Laing O'Rourke's capital backing.
Select Plant Hire firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Select Plant Hire
- Legal name
- Select Plant Hire Ltd
- Website
- https://selectplanthire.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1990
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 501–1,000 employees
- Short description
- Select Plant Hire is a UK construction equipment hire and integrated site services provider (Dartford-based, Laing O'Rourke subsidiary) serving major infrastructure projects with lifting, plant, modular, power, piling, and inspection services, distinguished by the world's largest battery-powered crawler crane fleet.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Select Plant Hire industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Construction Equipment Hire Services
- NAICS
- Construction, Mining, and Forestry Machinery and Equipment Rental and Leasing (532412), Construction, Transportation, Mining, and Forestry Machinery and Equipment Rental and Leasing (53241)
- SIC
- Services-Miscellaneous Equipment Rental & Leasing (7350), Construction Machinery & Equip (3531), Construction, Mining & Materials Handling Machinery & Equip (3530)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Cranes & Heavy Lifting Equipment Rental/Leasing (TLABAFAD)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Lifting & Hoisting Rental & Leasing (IMAHAJAN), Earthmoving & Excavation Equipment Rental/Leasing (TLABAFAA), Material Handling Equipment Rental/Leasing (Forklifts, Telehandlers, Reach Trucks) (TLABAFAF), Site Services & Temporary Infrastructure Rental/Leasing (Portable Toilets, Fencing, Storage Containers) (TLABAFAH), Construction & Industrial Equipment Rental/Leasing (Earthmoving, Material Handling, Aerial) (TLABAHAF)
Keywords
Where Select Plant Hire is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Dartford
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices8 records
Markets served
Select Plant Hire business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations
Revenue model
- Plant Hire: Rental of construction equipment including excavators, telehandlers, rollers, dumpers, survey equipment, lighting, compressors, bowsers, tanks, and small tools. Core recurring revenue stream with long-term hire agreements typical for major projects.
- Lifting Solutions: Tower cranes, crawler cranes, mobile cranes, and lifting accessories hire and contract lifting services. One of the UK's largest lifting equipment fleets.
- Modular Buildings: Temporary, semi-permanent, and permanent modular accommodation buildings. Services include design, manufacture, installation, and facilities management. Over 5,000 units delivered for iconic projects.
- Power Solutions: Alternative power and battery solutions including AMPD Enertainer, Flybrid, Revolution Battery, and Zenobē Powerskid. Eliminates need for diesel generators on construction sites.
- Logistics Solutions: Site logistics including pre-construction strategy, security, gate and traffic management, lifting operations, facilities management, waste management, and stores management.
- Piling & Concrete Pumping: Piling rigs and concrete pumping services with one of the largest, most versatile piling fleets in the UK.
- Test & Inspection Services: UKAS accredited thorough examination services for crawler cranes, tower cranes, construction hoists, MEWPs, and lifting equipment under LOLER and PUWER regulations.
- Training Academy: Technical, regulatory and academic training to individuals and organisations. Courses delivered include NOCN, CPCS, and IPAF qualifications.
- Vertical Distribution & Access: Hoists, MEWPs (Mobile Elevated Work Platforms), and specialist lifting equipment hire.
- Engineering Surveying & Monitoring: Geotechnical and environmental monitoring services including ground movement monitoring, laser scanning, environmental monitoring, contaminated land testing, utilities surveying, and drone surveying.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Custom project-based pricing |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
Select Plant Hire product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Select Plant Hire rents construction plant and equipment and provides related site services to UK construction and infrastructure contractors. Offerings span lifting solutions (tower, crawler and mobile cranes), general plant hire (excavators, telehandlers, rollers, dumpers, survey equipment, lighting, compressors), modular buildings for site accommodation, alternative power solutions, piling and concrete pumping, vertical distribution and access (hoists and MEWPs), site logistics, engineering surveying and monitoring, UKAS-accredited test and inspection, and a training academy. The company operates one of the UK's largest and youngest equipment fleets, with a particular focus on battery-powered and zero-emission plant.
Product overview
Select Plant Hire is a construction equipment and services provider offering a diversified portfolio of equipment hire, site infrastructure, and specialized services. The core offering comprises Lifting Solutions (tower cranes including the flagship CTL1600-66 developed with Terex, crawler cranes including battery-powered LR1160.1/LR1250.1 Unplugged models, mobile cranes), Plant Hire (excavators, telehandlers, rollers, dumpers, survey equipment, lighting/compressors, bowsers/tanks), Modular Buildings (standardized 2on2-9on9 accommodation units through to permanent 60+ year buildings), Power Solutions (AMPD Enertainer, Dumarey Flybrid, Zenobē PowerSkid, Revolution Battery), Piling & Pumping, Vertical Distribution & Access, Logistics Solutions, Engineering Surveying & Monitoring, Test & Inspection (UKAS accredited), and Training Academy. As part of Laing O'Rourke Group, the company provides equipment and services across the UK's most iconic construction projects including HS2, Battersea Power Station, Thames Tideway, and Heathrow Terminal 2.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Lifting Solutions
Quantifiable outcome
- 84% of plant and equipment is electric/battery powered - industry-leading sustainability
- +8 more outcomes
Companies that use Select Plant Hire
Customer profileNamed customers18 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Select Plant Hire technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration2 records
Feature9 records
Select Plant Hire partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- University of Hull School of Engineering and TechnologyminorAcademic partnership supporting student development and driving innovation across construction and plant hire sectors. Undergraduate and postgraduate students work on real-world project scopes provided by Select. Projects span approximately 30 weeks including site visits, mentorship from subject matter experts, and final presentations to industry professionals.
- Explore Transport Limited (ETL)coreExplore Transport Limited was a 50:50 joint venture between Select Plant Hire and WS Transport. Following agreement to divide business units, Select Plant Hire acquired the civil plant and tool hire business while WS Transport took sole control of transport and rail plant businesses. Explore Transport remains the exclusive transport and haulage provider for both Select Plant Hire and Laing O'Rourke.
- WS TransportcoreWS Transport was the 50:50 joint venture partner in Explore Transport Limited. Following division of business units, WS Transport took sole control of transport and rail plant businesses while continuing as exclusive transport and haulage provider for Select Plant Hire and Laing O'Rourke.
- Dumarey Green PowercoreLong-standing partnership with Dumarey Green Power for innovative energy products. Select is the first UK customer to integrate all three of Dumarey's products: Revolution Battery (high-power battery storage), Flybrid (flywheel energy storage), and AMPD Enertainer (battery energy storage systems). Products support construction site electrification and sustainability goals.
- Ampd EnergycoreAmpd Energy pioneered the 'Enertainer' battery energy storage system for urban construction. The plug-and-play device electrifies construction sites, providing clean, quiet, and fully automated energy enabling sites to move away from fossil fuels. Coupled with Select's tower cranes, reduces carbon emissions by 90%.
- ZenobēcorePartnered with energy storage specialist Zenobē to provide clean power for construction sites using second-life batteries (refurbished electric bus batteries) transformed into portable batteries. One battery unit stores approximately 150kWh of energy for construction, lifting solutions, and EV charging applications.
- SkyjackcoreLong-standing partnership with Skyjack for powered access equipment. Select became first UK customer to acquire Skyjack's all-electric boom models (SJ45 and SJ60 AJE+). The partnership focuses on sustainability and innovation in powered access equipment, with advanced telematics for remote diagnostics.
- Laing O'RourkecoreSelect Plant Hire is a subsidiary of Laing O'Rourke. Parent company's activities and financial security attribute to much of Select's recent growth. Laing O'Rourke is a major international engineering and construction group, providing strategic backing and project pipeline.
- ExpandedcorePartnership with Expanded on major bridge and infrastructure projects. Select and Expanded completed detailed trial operations in advance of major lifting schemes on key infrastructure projects, showcasing technical capability and operational efficiency in constrained environments.
Scale indicators13 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Select Plant Hire competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Speedy Hire plc: UK-listed equipment rental company serving construction, infrastructure, and industrial markets with tools, plant, and powered access. Direct competitor to Select in UK plant hire with comparable customer base of major contractors.
- A-Plant (Sunbelt Rentals UK): UK arm of Sunbelt Rentals (Ashtead Group), one of the largest equipment rental providers in the UK serving construction and infrastructure. Direct competitor across plant, lifting, and powered access with national depot network.
- Vp plc: UK equipment rental group operating through UK Forks, MEP, and Brandon Hire Station, providing plant, tools, and access equipment. Comparable multi-segment UK rental model serving construction markets.
- HSS Hire Group: UK equipment rental company providing tools, plant, and specialist equipment to construction and industrial customers. Direct competitor in general plant and tool hire across UK commercial and infrastructure projects.
- Nationwide Platforms: UK's largest provider of powered access platforms (MEWPs), part of Lavendon Group. Direct competitor in vertical distribution and access segment where Select competes with its MEWP and hoist fleet.
- Boels Rental: Leading European equipment rental company offering machines, tools, and modular buildings across construction and infrastructure. Comparable full-service rental model including modular accommodation overlap.
- Riwal: European aerial work platform and telehandler rental specialist serving construction and industrial markets. Direct competitor in powered access and material handling segments where Select has MEWP and telehandler fleet.
- Algeco (Modulaire Group): European leader in modular space rental serving construction, infrastructure, and commercial markets. Direct competitor in Select's modular buildings business with comparable temporary and permanent accommodation offerings.
Broad incumbents
- Ashtead Group plc: FTSE 100 parent of Sunbelt Rentals, the world's largest equipment rental company by revenue. Operates broadly across US, UK, and Canada with overlapping capabilities to Select in construction equipment rental at much greater scale.
- Liebherr: Swiss-German manufacturer of crawler cranes, tower cranes, and construction equipment that supplies Select's flagship battery-powered crane fleet. Broad incumbent with overlapping capabilities through both manufacturing and rental operations.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Select Plant Hire social profiles
Digital presenceSelect Plant Hire compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance27 records
Select Plant Hire financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Select Plant Hire leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles13 records
Select Plant Hire subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Select Plant Hire funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Select Plant Hire M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Select Plant Hire
What does Select Plant Hire do?
Select Plant Hire rents construction plant and equipment and provides related site services to UK construction and infrastructure contractors. Offerings span lifting solutions (tower, crawler and mobile cranes), general plant hire (excavators, telehandlers, rollers, dumpers, survey equipment, lighting, compressors), modular buildings for site accommodation, alternative power solutions, piling and concrete pumping, vertical distribution and access (hoists and MEWPs), site logistics, engineering surveying and monitoring, UKAS-accredited test and inspection, and a training academy. The company operates one of the UK's largest and youngest equipment fleets, with a particular focus on battery-powered and zero-emission plant.
Is Select Plant Hire a public or private company?
Select Plant Hire is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Select Plant Hire founded?
Select Plant Hire was founded in 1990. It employs 501 to 1,000 people.
Where is Select Plant Hire based?
Select Plant Hire is headquartered in Dartford, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Select Plant Hire make money?
Ten revenue lines are on record. Plant Hire is the primary driver. The others are lifting Solutions, modular Buildings, power Solutions, logistics Solutions, piling & Concrete Pumping, test & Inspection Services, training Academy, vertical Distribution & Access and engineering Surveying & Monitoring.
Who are Select Plant Hire's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Speedy Hire plc, A-Plant (Sunbelt Rentals UK), Vp plc, HSS Hire Group, Nationwide Platforms, Boels Rental, Riwal and Algeco (Modulaire Group). Broad incumbents are Ashtead Group plc and Liebherr.
Does Select Plant Hire have an API?
No public API is recorded for Select Plant Hire.
What industry is Select Plant Hire in?
Select Plant Hire's product category is Construction Equipment Hire Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is TLABAFAD, Cranes & Heavy Lifting Equipment Rental/Leasing, with a secondary code of IMAHAJAN, Lifting & Hoisting Rental & Leasing. Its NAICS code is 532412 and its SIC code is 7350.