Baldwins' sale to Ainscough confirmed

Ainscough Crane Hire has taken ownership of the mobile and heavy crane divisions of Baldwins Industrial Services, the joint administrative receivers have confirmed.

The deal, which also includes the maintenance & engineering division (Baldwins M&E), completed on 6 December, said Michael Gercke and Robert Birchall of PricewaterhouseCoopers.

Ainscough has taken over the business as a going concern. Some 600 employees and 200 cranes join Ainscough from Baldwins, creating a combined business of 1,300 employees and 600 cranes.

Ainscough chairman Martin Ainscough said: 'The purchase of Baldwins' mobile crane fleet together with the workforce is a great boost to our company, in particular with Baldwins strengths in the south of England and heavy crane division. We are very pleased and excited that we have concluded this acquisition and are looking forward to integrating the best features of both companies.'