MEP Hire
MEP Hire is a UK specialist equipment hire firm, founded in 1996 and headquartered in Glasgow, renting mechanical, electrical, and low-level access equipment to building services contractors via 13 branches and a trade-account web portal, operating as a trading division of Vp plc.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1996
- HeadquartersGlasgow, United Kingdom
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What MEP Hire does
MEP Hire is a UK specialist equipment hire company providing mechanical, electrical, and low-level access equipment to building services trades. Founded in 1996 and headquartered in Glasgow, the business operates 13 branches across the United Kingdom—from Aberdeen and Edinburgh in Scotland down through the Midlands, Wales, the Southwest, Yorkshire, the Northwest, and into Kent and Surrey—providing nationwide physical coverage supplemented by a self-serve trade-account web portal (online.mephire.co.uk) and an inbound telesales line (0800 587 5121). The fleet is organized into two broad lines: Access Equipment (powered scissor lifts and vertical mast lifts from JLG, Genie, Dingli, and Snorkel, plus non-powered podiums/steps and alloy towers) and Mechanical & Electrical Equipment (press-fit tools certified under the Novopress partnership plus Geberit, Viega, Klauke; cable tools for crimping, cutting, lifting, and pulling; ductwork testing and cutting; HPPE/HDPE fusion; pipe-work tools from RIDGID, REMS, and Victaulic; power tools from Makita and Milwaukee; and site services). Adjacent categories include dust and noise control (Echo Barrier), materials handling and lifting (Genie, Armorgard, Pramac), welding equipment, NLG tool-tethering safety products, and consumables.
MEP Hire operates as a wholly-owned trading division of Vp plc, a publicly listed UK rental group on the London Stock Exchange (ticker: VP.) with nine operating divisions including Brandon Hire Station, ESS, Groundforce, and UK Forks. Revenue is generated through usage-based pricing on short- and long-term rentals (daily, weekly, and monthly hire rates are quoted per branch and are not publicly disclosed), with primary customer segments being electrical contractors (over 20 years of stated focus), mechanical and plumbing contractors, HVAC installers, fire protection specialists, and commercial fit-out contractors. Featured case studies include Multiplex at Holborn Viaduct, Overbury at Canary Wharf, QSC Safety at the North Acton Data Centre, Veitchi at Nairn Academy, HE Barnes at CAPA College, and Apex Contracting Solutions at the Ellison Institute. Recent product-side activity includes the 2025 launch of the Novopress 32 press tool and the introduction of Overwatch secondary guarding on powered-access equipment.
MEP Hire firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- MEP Hire
- Legal name
- Vp plc
- Website
- https://mephire.co.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1996
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- MEP Hire is a UK specialist equipment hire firm, founded in 1996 and headquartered in Glasgow, renting mechanical, electrical, and low-level access equipment to building services contractors via 13 branches and a trade-account web portal, operating as a trading division of Vp plc.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
MEP Hire industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Construction Equipment Rental
- 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)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Aerial Work Platforms (MEWPs) Rental/Leasing (TLABAFAE)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Material Handling Equipment Rental/Leasing (Forklifts, Telehandlers, Reach Trucks) (TLABAFAF), Lifting & Hoisting Rental & Leasing (IMAHAJAN)
Keywords
Where MEP Hire is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Glasgow
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices13 records
Markets served
MEP Hire business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Operations, Supply Chain, Personnel, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Equipment Rental: Short-term and long-term rental of specialist equipment including access equipment, mechanical and electrical tools, pipe work equipment, and site services. Revenue generated from daily, weekly, and monthly hire charges.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | Standard Equipment Rental |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
MEP Hire product offering
Product offeringCore offering
MEP Hire rents mechanical, electrical, and low-level access equipment to UK building services trades on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. The fleet covers press-fit pipe tools, cable tools, ductwork equipment, HPPE/HDPE fusion welders, pipe work tools, power tools, site services, welding equipment, materials handling, dust and noise control, safety/accessories, and consumables. Equipment is supplied through a 13-branch UK depot network and a customer web account.
Product overview
MEP Hire is a UK equipment hire company specializing in mechanical, electrical, and low-level access (LLA) equipment for building services trades. As a member of Vp plc, they operate 13 branches nationwide offering one of the most comprehensive hire fleets in the industry. Their product portfolio is organized into two main divisions: Access Equipment (powered access including scissor lifts and vertical masts from JLG, Genie, Dingli, Snorkel; non-powered access including podiums and steps; and alloy towers) and Mechanical & Electrical Equipment (encompassing press-fit tools and jaws from Novopress, Geberit, Viega, and Klauke; cable tools for crimping, cutting, and pulling; ductwork testing and cutting equipment; fusion equipment for HPPE/HDPE pipes; pipe work equipment including benders, cutters, groovers, and threaders from RIDGID and REMS; power tools from Makita and Milwaukee; and site services including power transformers, generators, and lighting). Additional offerings include dust and noise management equipment, materials handling and storage solutions, welding equipment, tool tethering products from NLG, and safety consumables. The company stocks industry-leading brands including RIDGID, Genie, Novopress, REMS, Geberit, JLG, Makita, Victaulic, Viega, and Uponor, with Novopress tooling highlighted as a featured product range.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Access Equipment Hire Rental of low-level access equipment including powered access (scissor lifts, nano lifts, mini scissor lifts from JLG, Genie, Dingli, Snorkel, BoSS), non-powered access (Pecolift, Ecolift, podiums, steps, work platforms), and alloy towers (MI Tower, Safe Quick AGR, EIGER 250, Bridge Quick). Available to building services contractors for working at height safely across the UK.
- Press-fit Tool Hire Rental of press-fitting tools, jaws, and accessories for connecting pipes without soldering or welding, including systems from Novopress, Geberit, Viega, and Klauke. Targeted at mechanical and plumbing contractors needing efficient, robust pipe connections.
- Novopress 32 Press Tool Featured press-fitting tool compatible with M Profile jaws (15-35mm), suitable for a wide range of pipe press-fit systems and applications. Launched by MEP Hire as the Novopress 32 Available Now product offering.
- Cable Tools Hire Rental of professional cable installation equipment including crimping, cutting, lifting, and pulling tools, and conduit-threading equipment from Klauke, Cembre, and REMS. Targeted at electrical contractors installing, crimping, and cutting electrical cables.
- Ductwork Equipment Hire Rental of ductwork leakage testing equipment and ductwork cutting equipment for HVAC installation, testing, and maintenance by HVAC contractors.
- Fusion Equipment Hire Rental of pipe fusion equipment for HPPE, HDPE, and PPR materials, including electrofusion welders, butt fusion machines, and hot plate kits from Calder, Geberit, and REMS. Targeted at contractors installing HDPE/HPPE pipe systems.
- Pipe Work Equipment Hire Rental of complete pipe installation equipment including benders, cutters, groovers, threaders, and flaring machines from RIDGID, REMS, and Victaulic. Targeted at mechanical and plumbing contractors executing pipe work applications.
- Power Tools Hire Rental of professional power tools including drills, saws, grinders, and nibblers from Makita, Milwaukee, and RIDGID for construction and installation work. Targeted at building services contractors needing portable power tooling for site projects.
- Site Services Equipment Hire Rental of site power, lighting, and barrier equipment including transformers, generators, LED work lights, and hurdle barriers for construction sites.
- Welding Equipment Hire Rental of MMA welding machines, diesel welder generators, fume extractors, and welding accessories including Thermal Arc, MOSA, and ARC inverter welders for on-site welding applications.
- Tool Tethering Solutions Rental and sale of NLG tool tethering products including tether loops, lanyards, wristbands, holsters, bags, and complete tethering kits to prevent dropped tools and improve on-site safety.
- Dust and Noise Equipment Hire Rental of dust extraction, dust reduction, and noise reduction equipment including Makita extractors, air cleaners, and Echo Barrier acoustic barriers (H9 and CS cutting station) for construction sites.
- Materials Handling and Storage Hire Rental of material moving, lifting, and storage equipment including cutting stations, trolleys, racks, lifting hoists, and workbenches from Genie, Armorgard, and Pramac for construction sites.
- Consumables and PPE Supply of safety consumables including PPE (gloves, goggles, helmets, ear protection, dust masks), hi-vis clothing, spill kits, and tool accessories for site workers.
- Overwatch Powered Access Guarding Secondary guarding system fitted to powered access platforms to protect workers at height from sheer events and crushing hazards on job sites. Offered as a safety accessory to powered access hires.
Companies that use MEP Hire
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
MEP Hire technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
MEP Hire partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
21 partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Vp plccoreParent company of MEP Hire. Vp plc is a multi-national group with nine operating divisions providing rental and sale of specialist products and associated services within the UK and overseas. MEP Hire operates as a member of this group.
- NovopresscoreCertified Novopress Service Partner offering wide range of press-fitting tools, jaws, and accessories. Solutions make connecting pipes easier while offering economic benefits through fast, robust, and trusted technology.
- NLGcoreWide range of tool tethering solutions from NLG designed to stop the risk of dropped tools and keep everyone on-site safe.
- RidgidcoreStock equipment from Ridgid including pipe threaders, cutters, and roll groovers for pipe work applications.
- GeniecoreStock Genie equipment including micro scissor lifts, material lifts, and gas lifts for access and materials handling.
- MakitacoreStock Makita power tools including drills, saws, grinders, and dust extraction equipment.
- GeberitcoreStock Geberit products including Mapress, Flowfit, and fusion equipment for pipe installation.
- ViegacoreStock Viega products including Pressgun tools, MegaPress, and Smartpress for press-fitting applications.
- VictauliccoreStock Victaulic roll grooving tools and pipe joining solutions.
- REMScoreStock REMS tools including pipe cutters, threaders, benders, and conduit threaders.
- KlaukecoreStock Klauke battery-powered hydraulic cable crimping and cutting tools.
- JLG Power TowerscoreStock JLG Power Tower products including nano lift, nano SP lift, and pecolift for low-level access.
- ArmorgardcoreStock Armorgard products including loadall trolleys, flexiblekart, rubbletruck, and site stations.
- PramaccoreStock Pramac products including sack trucks, pallet trucks, and generators.
- DinglicoreStock Dingli scissor lifts including JCPT0507PA, JCPT0607C, and JCPT0707DC-XD models.
- Euro TowerscoreStock Euro Towers products including stepfold podiums, Klikfold work platforms, and EuroFold folding platforms.
- UponorcoreStock Uponor S-Press products and jaw sets for multilayer pipe installation.
- HencocoreStock Henco multilayer pipe products including bevel kits and jaw sets.
- AquatechnikcoreStock Aquatechnik pipe flaring machines including BCB 110 and BST 32 PLUS models.
- CembrecoreStock Cembre battery-operated cable crimping tools including B1350-CE and B1550E models.
- Echo BarriercoreStock Echo Barrier acoustic barriers including H9 acoustic barrier and CS cutting station compact acoustic enclosure.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
MEP Hire competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- GAP Group: UK plant, tool, and equipment hire specialist with extensive depot coverage. Directly competes for the same building services and trade contractor customers across powered access and specialist tooling.
- Brandon Hire Station: UK tool and equipment hire business and fellow Vp plc division. Most directly comparable peer — overlapping general tool and access hire customer base, similar B2B contractor focus, and shared parent group economics.
- HSS Hire Group: One of the UK's largest tool and equipment rental operators with national branch coverage. Directly comparable on powered access, tools, and trade-account model serving building services and construction contractors.
- Nationwide Platforms: UK specialist powered access rental company with a deep scissor lift and MEWP fleet. Closely comparable on the powered/low-level access portion of MEP Hire's range and overlapping trade customer base.
- Hewden Stuart: UK equipment hire operator covering access, tools, and powered solutions for construction and trade customers. Comparable national coverage and customer overlap with MEP Hire's contractor base.
Broad incumbents
- Speedy Hire: LSE-listed UK equipment hire provider with full national network across tools, access, and plant. Comparable on customer base and product overlap, but materially larger and more diversified than MEP Hire.
- Travis Perkins Tool Hire: Tool hire arm of the UK's largest builders' merchant. Adjacent competitor for trade-customer hire volume, leveraging an extensive merchant branch footprint though narrower in specialist MEP tooling.
- Sunbelt Rentals UK: UK arm of Ashtead Group's Sunbelt Rentals, one of the largest equipment rental players in the world. Overlaps with MEP Hire on access and tools but operates at significantly larger scale and broader scope.
Others
- Vp plc: Parent group of MEP Hire and a multi-divisional UK/international equipment rental specialist. Relevant as the controlling entity and provider of shared back-office, fleet financing, and cross-divisional synergies.
Emerging players
- Boels Rental UK: Dutch-headquartered equipment rental group expanding its UK footprint. Comparable on access and tool hire product lines but with broader European positioning versus MEP Hire's UK-only focus.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
MEP Hire social profiles
Digital presenceMEP Hire financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
MEP Hire leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
MEP Hire funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
MEP 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 MEP Hire
What does MEP Hire do?
MEP Hire rents mechanical, electrical, and low-level access equipment to UK building services trades on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. The fleet covers press-fit pipe tools, cable tools, ductwork equipment, HPPE/HDPE fusion welders, pipe work tools, power tools, site services, welding equipment, materials handling, dust and noise control, safety/accessories, and consumables. Equipment is supplied through a 13-branch UK depot network and a customer web account.
Is MEP Hire a public or private company?
MEP Hire is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was MEP Hire founded?
MEP Hire was founded in 1996. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is MEP Hire based?
MEP Hire is headquartered in Glasgow, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does MEP Hire make money?
One revenue line is on record: equipment Rental.
Who are MEP Hire's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are GAP Group, Brandon Hire Station, HSS Hire Group, Nationwide Platforms and Hewden Stuart. Broad incumbents are Speedy Hire, Travis Perkins Tool Hire and Sunbelt Rentals UK. Vp plc is listed as an others. Boels Rental UK is listed as an emerging player.
Does MEP Hire have an API?
No public API is recorded for MEP Hire.
What industry is MEP Hire in?
MEP Hire's product category is Construction Equipment Rental. Its primary akta.pro industry code is TLABAFAE, Aerial Work Platforms (MEWPs) Rental/Leasing, with a secondary code of TLABAFAF, Material Handling Equipment Rental/Leasing (Forklifts, Telehandlers, Reach Trucks). Its NAICS code is 532412 and its SIC code is 7350.