First National Plant Rentals (FNPR), a leading regional construction equipment hire company, has been acquired by renowned turnaround specialist Ian Bowland in a transaction orchestrated by Mark Sapsford.
The deal marks a significant step for Bowland, who has a strong track record of reviving and growing businesses through strategic acquisitions.
FNPR was originally founded in 1971 as Willetts & Hawkins by Gordon Hawkins and has since established itself as a trusted contractor, offering a wide range of rental equipment including diggers, minidiggers, water bowsers, mixers, compressors, dumpers, and rollers.
Three decades of equipment hire legacy
The company has a rich history of ownership transitions. In 1991, it was sold to Thomas Matthew’s Core Investments, a family holding company that aggressively expanded its portfolio with eight plant hire acquisitions in the late 80s and early 90s.
Ian Bowland, a former M&A dealmaker, first acquired FNPR in 2007 as part of his strategy to buy and scale businesses. While the exact financial details of that acquisition were not disclosed, it formed part of Bowland's broader vision of acquiring companies with high growth potential.
10 years after: another business exit
A decade later, in 2017, Bowland sold FNPR to the Harrogate-based equipment rental giant VP PLC, further advancing the company’s market position.
This latest acquisition by Bowland signals a new chapter for FNPR as it returns to the hands of a proven specialist known for steering companies towards profitability and growth.
Although specific terms of the deal have not been made public, industry insiders are optimistic about the future of FNPR under Bowland’s leadership.
