Haulage and Plant Hire Business Divests with Support from HSBC UK

  |   Road Transport   |   Haulage and Plant Hire Business Divests with Support from HSBC UK

09:00 Tue 19th Aug 2025 | Posted By UKHAULIER

6 mins ago

Worksop-based Explore is bolstering its position in the UK transport and rail plant sectors with the divestment of its Civil Plant and Tool Hire division using an eight-figure funding package from HSBC UK. Select Plant Hire has acquired the Civil Plant and Tool hire segment of the business, leaving Transport and Rail Plant divisions under sole ownership of WS Transport. Explore previously operated as a 50:50 joint venture between Laing O'Rouke's Select Plant Hire and WS Transport.  As part of the transaction, Explore will continue to be the exclusive haulage provider to the Laing O'Rourke group.

Bradley Cooper, Finance Director at Explore, said: "With support from HSBC UK, we've been able to reach this important milestone in the growth of our business. We have ambitious plans and with a streamlined ownership structure, we will continue to drive forward more exciting opportunities. We look forward to progressing our strategy of bringing innovation to the sectors we operate in."

Jason Gledhill, Global Relationship Director at HSBC UK, added: "It's fantastic to support this next phase of growth for Explore. This move reflects the ongoing commitment of the business to UK transport and rail plant industries. We're committed to helping ambitious businesses unlock new opportunities and we look forward to Explore continuing to build a strong future."

Explore was founded in 2015 and has since grown with 7 depots nationwide.

The business has a fleet of over 175 trucks and over 100 rail plant hire assets, with over 300 employees across the UK.