Hickman Shearer Supports DWS Investment in Flannery Plant Hire

Hickman Shearer has supported DWS in its investment in Flannery Plant Hire, providing specialist technical due diligence and asset advisory services as part of the acquisition process.

Flannery Plant Hire is the UK’s largest operated heavy plant hire company, supplying equipment and operators to the infrastructure and civil engineering sectors. With a substantial nationwide fleet of construction machinery and transport assets, understanding the condition, performance and management of its equipment was an important part of the transaction.

Working to a demanding timetable, Hickman Shearer was appointed to undertake an independent technical assessment, helping DWS gain a clearer understanding of the business’s asset base and the operational processes supporting it.

For businesses operating large equipment fleets, technical due diligence involves more than establishing the value and condition of individual assets. Maintenance practices, utilisation, replacement planning and asset management systems can all influence long-term performance, operational efficiency and future investment requirements.

Hickman Shearer’s assessment examined the fleet’s composition, age profile, maintenance records, utilisation trends and disposal history. The team also reviewed the systems and processes used to manage equipment across multiple locations, including the approach taken to maintaining and replacing machinery throughout its operational life.

This involved analysing asset schedules, operational data and supplier information, alongside site inspections and discussions with management. Together, these findings provided an independent view of how effectively the fleet was being managed and where future capital requirements might arise.

For investors considering businesses with significant machinery and equipment holdings, this level of assessment can help identify potential risks, evaluate operational practices and provide greater confidence in future investment planning.

The resulting analysis contributed to the wider acquisition process, providing DWS and its advisers with technical insight to support informed investment decisions within the transaction timetable.

James Fox, Senior Director at Hickman Shearer, commented: “Flannery Plant Hire has established a strong reputation within the UK construction and infrastructure sectors, underpinned by a significant fleet of specialist equipment and a well developed asset management framework. Our role was to provide DWS with an independent technical assessment of the asset base and supporting operational processes, helping stakeholders make informed decisions throughout the acquisition process. We were delighted to support DWS on this important transaction and wish the business continued success in its next phase of growth.”

The transaction highlights the importance of independent technical advice when investing in asset-intensive businesses, particularly where substantial equipment portfolios play a central role in day-to-day operations.

As an independent, RICS-regulated provider of capital asset valuation, advisory and sales services, Hickman Shearer works with investors, lenders and businesses across construction, manufacturing, transport and other industrial sectors, helping them understand asset performance, value and associated risks.