Clearwater International advises the vendors of King Vehicle Engineering Group on its sale to HW Martin Holdings

The King Vehicle Engineering Group has been acquired by HW Martin Holdings Limited for an undisclosed sum. The King Group includes King Trailers Limited, King Highway Products Limited, King Transport Equipment Limited and Safety Vehicle Hire and Lease Limited.

King Trailers was founded in 1962 and owner Mark Carrington joined the business as part of a management buyout in 1994 later gaining full ownership. The business subsequently diversified into a wider range of specialist vehicles across different market sectors where it holds dominant positions.

HW Martin was established in 1972 as a fencing contractor, and has grown to be a €119m plus turnover business. Its activities now include commercial and safety fencing, waste and recycling, traffic management and vehicle and equipment maintenance and is a parts and service dealer of DAF trucks. It is based in Alfreton, Derbyshire, but has 16 locations from Devon to Scotland.

The King Group will continue to operate as a stand-alone business within the Martin Group. King employs 125 people at its Market Harborough site and is one of the town’s largest employers.