VMS Fleet Management has acquired southwest-based rental, contract hire and sales business Western Truck Rental for an undisclosed sum.
VMS said the acquisition will allow Western to grow and expand while continuing to serve existing customers from its base in the Southwest of England.
The deal sees VMS take immediate control of Western Truck Rental’s two sites in Barnstaple and Tiverton, as well as the 20-strong workforce.
Western Truck Rental, which operates in Devon and surrounding areas, offers self-drive hire, contract hire, servicing, parts, body building and ex-fleet sales to businesses and individuals alike.
The company will continue to operate under its own name, offering the same services, under full management by the VMS Group.
VMS Fleet Management will also dedicate around 200 vehicles to extend the rental fleet available at Western Truck Rental, to help expand the offering to existing and new customers of the company.
Western Truck Rental was set up by Robert Dawson in Barnstaple in 1979 with three vehicles, growing its fleet to 160 vehicles by 2019.
Stevenage-based VMS, which launched in 2002 as an accident and vehicle management business, provides contract hire and fleet management solutions, together with a range of support services.
It currently operates more than 5,000 vehicles in its overall fleet, including over 1,000 vehicles in its rental fleet.
The business has invested over £6.4m in the last six months in what it describes as “exciting innovations which will be announced soon".
VMS MD Martin James said: “This acquisition comes off the back of us looking to expand our business within the Southwest of England.
“We were looking at creating a base for VMS specifically in the area but when the opportunity to acquire Western Truck Rental presented itself, we felt this might be the perfect opportunity for us.
“We met with the longstanding team at the business and felt that the company culture was very similar to ours.
“There were great, friendly, loyal people delivering fantastic services to top customers. There was a real warmth about the business, and we knew that Western Truck Rental would be the perfect addition to our team.
“We look forward to working with the team at Western Truck Rental, supporting them with their growth and successes for the future."
