What Groundforce does

Groundforce is a UK-headquartered specialist construction equipment rental and solutions provider, founded in 1983 and operating as a division within the VP PLC group alongside sister brand Brandon Hire Station. The company delivers excavation support, shoring, piling, pipe testing, and temporary bridging equipment to construction, civil engineering, utilities, marine, and events sectors across the UK, Ireland, and mainland Europe. Its infrastructure is anchored by 18 strategically located UK depots, more than 300 professionally trained staff in the Shorco division alone, and equipment maintained to ISO 9001, ISO 14001 (referenced internally as 16001), and OHSAS 18001 standards.

The product portfolio spans seven core divisions: Groundforce Shorco (trench boxes, hydraulic bracing from light aluminium to Super Mega Brace, hydraulic struts up to MP750, trench sheets, lightweight equipment, excavation safety solutions such as EdgeSafe and LadderSafe, lifting equipment including the newly launched SheetMaster 2.0); Piletec (piling hammers, EMVs, Larssen sheet piles, vibration monitoring); Stopper Specialists (pipe stoppers, pressure testing, chlorination, pipe rehabilitation, environmental protection); Groundforce Bridge (temporary pedestrian to mega vehicle bridges); Pile Croppers; and Groundforce Training Services (EUSR, CITB, CPCS, City & Guilds, and IOSH/NEBOSH accredited courses plus e-learning). Underlying technology is predominantly mechanical, with proprietary digital design tools (YourSolution and YourSolution+) that deliver engineer-checked excavation designs with turnaround times of 24 hours or 3 working hours respectively, and Senceive wireless load monitoring for real-time strut telemetry.

The business model is asset-heavy equipment rental, with usage-based weekly hire pricing, quote-based customer engagement, and an account-application process for ongoing relationships. GTM is direct via depot network, website enquiries, and phone. Revenue is complemented by professional-services income from accredited training. Digital channels include a technical library with AutoCAD blocks, YouTube product videos, LinkedIn presence, and a self-serve customer portal for tracking hires and design submissions. The company is part of VP PLC, which is committed to Net-Zero by 2050 and has published a Carbon Calculator Technical Note covering embodied CO2e in hire activities.

Name

Groundforce

Legal name

Groundforce

Website

https://vpgroundforce.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1983

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Groundforce is a UK-based specialist construction equipment rental company, part of VP PLC, providing excavation shoring, piling, pipe testing, and temporary bridging equipment to construction, civil engineering, utilities, and marine sectors across the UK, Ireland, and mainland Europe via 18 depots and accredited training services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Construction Equipment Rental

NAICS

Construction, Mining, and Forestry Machinery and Equipment Rental and Leasing (532412)

SIC

Services-Equipment Rental & Leasing, Nec (7359)

akta.pro primary industry

Trench Safety & Shoring Equipment Rental/Leasing (TLABAFAI)

Keywords

• Construction equipment rental
• Excavation shoring solutions
• Trench support equipment
• Piling equipment hire
• Temporary bridge rental

Headquarters

HQ city

Harrogate

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Equipment Hire/Rental: Core revenue stream from hiring specialist construction equipment including trench boxes, shoring systems, piling equipment, pipe stoppers, and temporary bridges. Equipment is maintained to ISO 9001, 16001 and OHSAS 18001 standards across 18 UK depots. Hires typically in weekly increments.
2. Training Services: Industry-leading accredited safety training for utilities, construction and civil engineering sectors. Offers EUSR accredited courses, CITB courses, confined space training, plant and vehicle operator training, and e-learning courses.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Groundforce is a specialist construction equipment rental company that hires shoring systems, trench boxes, piling equipment, pipe stoppers, pressure testing equipment, and temporary bridges to construction, civil engineering, utilities, and marine sector customers across the UK, Ireland, and mainland Europe via 18 strategically located depots. The company also delivers accredited safety training through EUSR, CITB, CPCS/NPORS, City & Guilds and e-learning programmes. Hire is typically structured in weekly increments with quote-based pricing and account applications for ongoing customer relationships.

Product overview

Groundforce is a specialist construction equipment and solutions company with seven core divisions operating throughout the UK, Ireland and mainland Europe. The portfolio consists of: Groundforce Shorco (Shoring Equipment) providing trench boxes, hydraulic bracing (light to super mega), specialist hydraulic struts (MP30 to MP750), trench sheets, excavation safety solutions (EdgeSafe, LadderSafe, Davit Arms), lifting equipment (SheetMaster 2.0, sheet extractors, manhole ring lifters), Gravshore temporary support systems, and ancillary products; Piletec (Piling Equipment) offering EMV piling hammers, Larssen Sheet Piles, and vibration monitoring; Stopper Specialists providing pipe stoppers for flow control, pressure testing equipment, chlorination units, pipe rehabilitation tools, and environmental protection products; Groundforce Bridge offering temporary bridging solutions from pedestrian to mega vehicle bridges; and Groundforce Training Services delivering accredited courses in excavation safety, utilities, health and safety, confined space, plant operations, and e-learning. Digital tools include YourSolution (standard excavation design) and YourSolution+ (bespoke design with engineer check). The company has been supporting the construction industry for over 40 years with a fleet maintained across 18 strategically located depots.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Groundforce Shorco: Shoring equipment division providing trench boxes, heavy duty hydraulic bracing and strutting systems
• Stopper Specialists
• Groundforce Bridge
• Piletec
• Groundforce Training Services
• YourSolution
• YourSolution+
• Groundforce Shoring Equipment

Products and services

• Groundforce Shorco (Shoring Equipment Division) Market-leading rental supplier of shoring equipment including trench boxes, heavy duty hydraulic bracing and strutting systems, trench sheets, and sheet piles. Covers excavation support and site safety solutions for construction, civil engineering, utilities, and marine sectors.
• Trench Boxes Rental range of ground support boxes for excavation projects including Standard Trench Box, Manhole Box, Backhoe Trench Box, Premier Trench Box, Super Drag Box, Rolling Strut Trench Box, and Hi-Clear Manhole Box, supporting trenches up to 6.6m deep (manhole boxes up to 5.5m).
• Hydraulic Bracing Equipment Light and heavy duty hydraulic bracing systems including Aluminium Hydraulic Brace (540), Single Acting Manhole Brace, GF Double Acting Manhole Brace, Mechshore Double Acting Series, Maxi Brace, Mega Brace, and Super Mega Brace.
• Specialist Hydraulic Struts Mechanical and hydraulic struts including MP30, MP60 (Mechanical), MP50, MP150, MP250, MP375, and MP750 Hydraulic Struts, plus Hydraulic Nuts, accompanied by Senceive Wireless Data Monitoring.
• Excavation Safety Solutions Site safety equipment including EdgeSafe, StepSafe, EndSafe, SledgeSafe, LadderSafe series (Mini, Premier, Mega, Shaft), Dual Access Platform, SurroundSafe, and Davit Arms (Standard, Compact, Portable Manhole Guard, Extended Reach, Extended Reach Towbar).
• Piletec (Piling Equipment Division) Specialist piling and foundation equipment hire including Piling Hammers (EMV, Side Grip, Impact), Larssen Sheet Piles, and V901 Vibration Monitors for construction, civil engineering, utilities and marine sectors.
• Vibration Monitoring Equipment V901 Vibration Monitor, Vibration Monitor, and 2-Stage Audible and Visual Alarm (Piletec) for monitoring and safety during piling operations.
• Stopper Specialists (Pipe Stoppers Division) Pipe stoppers and pressure testing equipment for construction, civil engineering and utility industries. Products for flow control, pressure testing, pipe rehabilitation, and environmental protection.
• Pipe Pressure Testing Equipment Remote Pressure Testing App, Pressure Test Box, Remote Testing systems, Milltest/Multitest/Airtest Stoppers, Test Flanges and Adaptors, RAK (Remote Air Testing Kit), Test Gauges, Data Loggers, Fill and Test Pumps, Fire Hydrant and Mains Testing, and Pipeline Pigs including Trackable variants.
• Groundforce Bridge (Temporary Bridges Division) Temporary bridge hire structures for construction, transmission, rail, and events sectors, ranging from pedestrian bridges to mega vehicle bridges.
• Temporary Bridge Products Step Bridge, Aluminium Bridge, Trench Crossing Unit (5m x 2m), Micro Bridge (4m x 3m), Mini Vehicle Bridge (6.5m x 3m), Midi Vehicle Bridge (7.25m x 3.2m), Maxi Vehicle Bridge (10m x 3m), Mega Vehicle Bridge, and Pedestrian Bridge (8m x 1.6m).
• Groundforce Training Services Accredited safety training for utilities, construction and civil engineering sectors. Wide range of courses from short duration health and safety awareness to specialist safety consultancy solutions, delivered via EUSR, CITB, CPCS/NPORS, City & Guilds and e-learning programmes.
• Excavation Training Courses EUSR-accredited courses including Excavation Safety Awareness, Locate Utility Services (Cat 1), Safe Digging (Cat 2), Timber Shoring (Cat 3), Steel Shoring (Cat 4), Proprietary Shoring (Cat 5), Excavation Rescue, and Grave Shoring Training.
• Utility and Pipeline Training Courses EUSR courses for water and utilities sectors including Electro Fusion Welding, Butt Fusion Welding, National Water Hygiene 'Blue Card', Hydrostatic Pressure Testing, Chlorination Procedures, Abrasive Wheels, Impact Moling, Grundomat Operator Training, HDD Introduction, Flange Jointing, and Pipeline Commissioning.
• Confined Space Training City and Guilds accredited confined space courses from entry level (CS1) to Level 4 Award, covering high, medium and low risk environments, rescue techniques, and emergency response.
• SheetMaster 2.0 All-in-one attachment for trench sheet installation that combines pitching, driving, and extraction into a single tool, reducing the need for multiple attachments, improving on-site safety, and streamlining operations. Features innovative SafeRelease ratchet mechanism and integrated driving cap.
• Pipe Stoppers and Flow Control Blank Cone and Bypass Cone Pipe Stoppers, Trelleborg Megaplug and Cylindrical/Bypass Stoppers, Pronal Inflatable Stoppers, Vetter Inflatable Stoppers (1.5 Bar and 2.5 Bar), High Pressure Pipe Stoppers, Multilock Stoppers, and Diesel Compressors.
• Chlorination Units High Pressure Chlorination and Dechlorination Unit and Direct Injection Chlorination Unit for pipeline disinfection.
• Plant and Equipment Training CPCS and NPORS accredited plant training including 360 Excavator, Forward Tipping Dumper, Lorry Loader (HIAB), Crane Supervisor, Appointed Persons, Slinger Signaller, Telescopic Handler, Ride on Roller, and Mobile Crane courses.
• Health and Safety Training Courses Face Fit Testing, SHEA (Core/Water/Gas/Power/Telecommunications/Drains), UKATA Asbestos Awareness, NRSWA, HAVS Awareness, Work at Height, First Aid, IOSH Managing/Leading Safely, NEBOSH Health and Safety, Fire Marshal Training, and Spill Response.
• E-Learning Courses Online training courses covering Asbestos Awareness, Health and Safety, Working at Height, Risk Assessment, First Aid, Manual Handling, Fire Safety, Legionella Management, CDM Awareness, Working in Confined Spaces, Slips/Trips/Falls, COSHH, and Behavioural Safety.
• Lightweight Equipment Cold formed lapped trench sheets, interlocking light pile sections, Modular Aluminium Panel Box (MAP Box), Aluminium Waler System, Steel Waler System, Vertical Shores, and Smartshore Inflatable Shoring System.
• Lifting Equipment Pipe Lifters, Lifting Chains, Sheet Pile Extractors (Standard Duty and Heavy Duty), Pitching Shackles (Quick Release, Groundforce Release, Ratchet Release), and Manhole Ring Lifters.
• Gravshore Temporary Trench Support Temporary trench support system with Rectangular, Tapered, and Coffin Shaped Units, Hydraulic Cylinders, Installation Kits, End Support Units, Artificial Turf covers, Gravshore Soil Box, and Water Pumps.
• Ancillary Products Hydraulic Pipe Pusher, 110V Instagrid GO Portable Power Supply, Hydraulic Pumps, Electric Shoring Pumps (110V), Adjustable Props, Trench Struts, Manhole Shutters, Tuffsteel Ladders, Driving Caps, Plastic Piling Sheets, SafePlate Road Trench Covers, Road Plates, and Trench Sheet Driving Plates.
• Pipe Rehabilitation Equipment Flexible Flume Packers, Lateral Packers, Skid/Wheeled Packers, and Re-Tec Patch Kits for pipeline repair and rehabilitation.
• Environmental Protection Products Water-Gate Barrier, Sealing Tubes Set, Vacuum Drainage Bags, Leak Sealing Lance Set, Drainage Pipe Sealing Bags, Mini and Large Leak Sealing Kits, Gully Sealing Set, and Sealing Bandages for hazmat and environmental containment.

Quantifiable outcome

• Trench boxes support trenches up to 6.6m deep
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered parent company, minor and core.

• VP PLCparent companyOthersGroundforce is part of the VP PLC group of companies, operating as a division alongside Brandon Hire Station and other equipment hire brands within the group.
• Brandon Hire StationminorOthersReferenced as recommended power supply provider for equipment hire (7kVA generators). Customers can obtain generators through Brandon Hire Station (0345 604 5337).
• EUSR (Energy & Utility Skills Register)coreOthersGroundforce Training Services offers EUSR-accredited courses for utilities, construction and civil engineering sectors, including water hygiene, excavation safety, and pipeline work qualifications.
• CITB (Construction Industry Training Board)coreOthersGroundforce Training Services offers CITB-accredited courses including Temporary Works Coordinator Training and Site Management Safety Training Scheme.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Speedy Hire: UK's leading tools and equipment hire company with national depot coverage. Overlaps with Groundforce in shoring, plant and site safety equipment serving construction and utilities markets.
• GAP Group: Major UK plant and equipment hire specialist. Competes head-to-head with Groundforce in shoring, trench boxes, and on-site equipment across UK depots serving utilities and construction.
• HSS Hire Group: UK tool and equipment hire specialist with national coverage. Overlaps with Groundforce in shoring access solutions, pipe testing ancillaries and site services for construction.
• Brandon Hire Station: VP PLC sister division and UK tool and equipment hire brand. Operates within the same parent group with cross-company referrals (e.g., generators to Groundforce shoring pumps), making it the closest portfolio peer.
• Mabey Hire: UK specialist shoring and temporary works hire provider. Direct competitor to Groundforce's Shorco trench shoring and propping business, serving the same construction and civil engineering customers.

Others

• VP plc: Listed UK equipment rental group and Groundforce's parent. Provides the financial, strategic and capital-allocation context for Groundforce and intersects via shared sister-brand referral channels.

Broad incumbents

• Sunbelt Rentals UK: UK arm of the world's largest equipment rental company. Broad plant, access, power and shoring hire portfolio competes with Groundforce on multi-category framework bids.
• Ashtead Group: UK-listed parent of Sunbelt Rentals with material UK exposure. A broad-incumbent comparable given its scale, public-market transparency and overlapping shoring/specialty plant categories.

Emerging players

• Mates Global: Smaller specialist shoring and propping hire business in the UK. Niche overlap with Groundforce on trench support, hydraulic bracing and temporary works for civil projects.

Regional players

• Boels Rental: Large European equipment rental group with a growing UK presence. Comparable via shared specialism in shoring, propping and trench safety but primarily competes across continental Europe.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/vpgroundforce
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/vpgroundforce/videos
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/vp-groundforce
• Facebookfacebook.com/VpGroundforce

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Groundforce