Elliotts has announced the acquisition of tool and plant hire company New Forest Hire.

The acquisition of Totton-based New Forest Hire is expected to allow Elliotts to expand its existing product offering by providing its customers with the ability to hire a wide range of tools and plant equipment.

New Forest Hire will retain its current trading name and people, with day-to-day operations remaining unchanged, while being welcomed into the wider Elliotts portfolio of businesses, which also includes; Elliotts Builder’s Merchants, Elliotts Living Spaces, Elliotts Premier Roofing and the recently acquired Futuremost Group.

Stuart Long, who has owned New Forest Hire for the last 10 years, said: “I am proud of what we have achieved at New Forest Hire and today marks an exciting new era for the company to be joining the Eliotts family of businesses. I am sure the business will go from strength to strength whilst retaining the high level of service that our customers are used to.”

Tom Elliott, CEO of Elliotts, said: “Our long-term aim is for Elliotts to become a complete ‘one-stop shop’ to help our customers build. Acquiring New Forest Hire marks a significant step in expanding our product offering and gives us the flexibility to offer our customers additional value through an easy to access hire option for any equipment or plant machinery that they may need.

“New Forest Hire’s strong local reputation and specialist expertise complement our 183-year foundation of customer service and industry knowledge. I am really excited to welcome them to the group and look forward to working together to build an exciting future together.”