Kiloutou enters UK and Ireland with acquisition

Kiloutou has acquired KDM Hire Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, marking its first ever entry into the UK and Irish rental markets.

KDM Hire is a €42 million revenue rental business employing 250 people at seven locations, including Belfast, Dublin and Cork. 

Five of its locations, including its head office in Cookstown, are in Northern Ireland, the UK, while its Cork and Dublin depots are in the Republic of Ireland. It was founded in 1990 and opened its first depot in the Republic of Ireland in 2019.

A key goal following the acquisition will be to “accelerate growth” in the Republic of Ireland to support the country’s ambitious infrastructure plans as well as investment in energy and data centres.

The current KDM management team, including chief executive Michael Donnelly, will continue to lead the company under the new ownership.

Kiloutou - which last month revealed 3.3% growth in revenues in 2025 - said the deal will give it a foothold in the Irish market, with demand being driven by the Republic of Ireland’s infrastructure investment plans - known as Project Ireland 2040 – and activity in energy and data centres.

The France-based company said it would draw on KDM’s knowledge of the market to accelerate its development “notably through the opening of new branches, the expansion of its product range and investments in low-carbon equipment.”

‘Key milestone’ for Kiloutou

Olivier Colleau, executive chairman of Kiloutou, said; “Kiloutouʼs entry into new countries is part of our strategic roadmap to 2030, as is our aim to rank among the top three in all the countries where we operate. Our entry into the Irish market represents a key milestone in our development.

Olivier Colleau, executive chairman of Kiloutou Group.

“The acquisition of KDM Hire offers new opportunities for the group within a highly dynamic market. We have been impressed by the teamsʼ expertise and their service-oriented culture.

“I am delighted to welcome the 250 team members from KDM Hire and to embark on a new chapter alongside them.ˮ

Michael Donnelly, chief executive of KDM Hire, said he was delighted and proud to announce the transaction; “This is an exceptional opportunity for our teams and our customers.

“Kiloutouʼs expertise and financial strength will enable us to accelerate our growth, particularly in the Republic of Ireland, where the potential is immense. We share with Kiloutou the same values of passion for the customer and operational excellence.ˮ

The acquisition of KDM is Kiloutou’s 10th since October 2024. It established operations in Denmark and Portugal in 2022 and now operates in nine countries: France, Poland, Spain, Germany, Italy, Denmark, Portugal, the UK and the Republic of Ireland.

With the acquisition of KDM Hire, the international share of Kiloutou’s revenues will be 43%. The company wants this to be more than 50% by 2030.

KDM has been an innovator in the Irish rental market, launching specialist divisions for power, accommodation, training and more. In 2008 it won the Small & Medium Sized Rental Company of the Year award at the European Rental Awards.