Vertimac acquires majority of UK aerials parts business

Belgium based distribution group Vertimac has acquired a majority share in the UK’s parts specialist Cherrypicker Shop.

According to Cherrypicker Shop, Vertimac is extending its rapidly growing platform parts division as a majority shareholder of the County Durham-based company.

The Cherrypicker Shop team with Platform Parts Directors. (Image: Cherrypicker Shop).

Following the acquisition Cherrypicker Shop will continue to trade as normal but with much greater potential to achieve its goal of becoming the UK’s leading independent access parts supplier, the said the company.

Vertimac has recently rebranded its parts operation as Platform Parts, after more than 10 years of selling access platform parts throughout Europe and increasingly worldwide.

Cherrypicker Shop was established in 2020 by Richard Tindale and Tom Cribb and has grown to be a significant multi-brand supplier of parts for all types of access platform.

The company was awarded the status of official Genie authorised parts provider earlier this year and maintains extensive stocks of parts in its UK warehouse at Crook, County Durham. It provides a one-call solution for mixed hire fleets and engineers working on multiple manufacturer’s machines, increasingly with next-day delivery from stock.

Retirement and continuation  

Under its majority ownership, Vertimac has bought out the shares of Richard Tindale and other smaller family shareholders. Tom Cribb retains a significant shareholding in the business and will head up the UK Cherrypicker Shop company going forward. Business will continue as previously with all existing staff except Tindale, who will retire.

Mathieu Naessens (left) and Tom Cribb. (Image: Cherrypicker Shop

The company now has the intention of considerably expanding its UK and plans a move to new, much larger premises in the Northeast of England.

Cribb said, “This is a great opportunity for us to build on the foundations we have laid over the past five years and provide customers with an even better service, faster delivery from UK stock and more competitive pricing.

“We have already made good progress with major as well as smaller and mid-size rental companies, and we believe this deal will enable us to become number one choice for all brands of access parts in the UK.”

Mathieu Naessens, Business Unit Director at Platform Parts, added, “To make a real difference in the UK, you need a partner who understands the market from within.

“Cherrypicker Shop shares our values, our customer focus, and our technical expertise. This synergy allows us to grow together and support customers with even greater efficiency.”

Karel Ghistelinck, Purchase Director, concluded, “The UK market has great potential, with new brands – including several from Asia – gaining momentum. By working alongside CPS, we can respond to these changes locally, with the right stock, service and know-how.”