The Kiloutou Group has signed an agreement to acquire Starlift, a specialist in the rental of access equipment in northern Germany. This transaction allows Kiloutou to continue its international development by entering the German market.
Starlift is a key regional player in the rental of access equipment in northern Germany with a network of three branches in Hamburg, Berlin and Rostock and a workforce of over 50 people. The company is a specialist recognised for its expertise and the breadth of its range, with a fleet of 750 machines capable of working at heights of up to 47 m (aerial work platforms, telescopic forklifts, etc.) and adapted to the needs of a wide range of customers in the industrial and construction sectors.
This acquisition will enable Kiloutou to enter a major market in Europe due to its size and dynamism. Kiloutou will rely on the experience and know-how of Starlift’s teams, who will retain a large degree of autonomy in order to continue to develop the business and offer their customers an ever higher level of service quality. The current managers, Mr Hans-Dieter Kark and his son Mr Oliver Kark, will continue to play an important role in the company: the former as a director of Kiloutou’s holding company in Germany and the latter as the company’s operational manager.
“This acquisition allows Kiloutou to continue its international development by positioning itself on the third largest European market, which has great potential. Its positioning as a specialist and its excellent reputation make Starlift particularly well suited to attacking this highly fragmented market where the generalist rental model is not the norm. Kiloutou’s long-term objective is to continue its development in Germany by expanding its presence in other business lines and in other Länder.”
Xavier du Boÿs, Chairman and CEO of the Kiloutou Group
“I am delighted with the acquisition of Starlift by the Kiloutou Group. It will enable the company to continue its development by joining forces with a European leader while continuing to offer its customers the excellent service for which it is known. I personally believe in Kiloutou’s development project in this market, which I have decided to actively support by becoming a director of the group’s holding company in Germany.”
Hans-Dieter Kark, President, founder and majority shareholder of Starlift
The transaction, which is still subject to the usual competition law approvals, is expected to be completed by mid-April 2016.