Speedy Hire buys Watts Optronics for £1.3m

Speedy Hire plc has bought Watts Optronics sales and hire network from leading survey equipment manufacturer Leica Geosystems for £1.3m.

The acquisition firmly cements Speedy Survey as the number one survey equipment hire company in the UK. Over the last three years the turnover of Speedy Survey has increased by 300%.  The integration of the Watts branches expands Speedy Survey's growing nationwide network to 12 - from 4 depots only three years ago.

As part of the deal Speedy Survey and Leica are entering into a four year purchasing agreement that will give Speedy unrivalled access to Leica's technical knowledge, which will further increase Speedy Survey 's technical and customer service offering to its customers.

Speedy Survey managing director Mark Whitworth said: "The addition of Watts Optronics strengthens Speedy Survey's support to both our existing customers and those previously dealing with Watts.

"We now offer greater depth of geographic coverage with new locations in Cardiff and Oldbury and we are strengthening our relations with a key industry supplier, adding significantly to our technical back-up.

"Altogether this gives Speedy an unrivalled position in the market place, streets ahead of our nearest competitor."