Coates to acquire Baxter Hire

The acquisition of the fleet assets of Mount-Gambier-based Baxter Hire will enable Coates to expand its customer focus in the Limestone Coast region of southeast South Australia as well as Western Victoria. It comes amid a period of high construction activity for the region, with a number of major projects in the pipeline.

Coates, Australia’s leading equipment hire and solutions provider, has agreed to acquire the fleet assets of Baxter Hire, an equipment hire provider based in Mount Gambier, South Australia.

Established in 1971 and servicing the southeast South Australia and Western Victoria local communities, Baxter Hire provides an extensive range of reliable equipment and competitive daily, weekly and weekend rates for local businesses across the region.

The acquisition of Baxter Hire’s fleet assets will enable Coates to expand its customer focus in the Limestone Coast region of southeast SA, with neighbouring Victorian Coates branches in Portland and Warrnambool situated 100km and 200km east of Mount Gambier respectively. Terms of the transaction have not been disclosed.

Murray Vitlich, CEO, Coates said the business had maintained its reputation for quality equipment in part due to the leadership of its owner.

“This is testimony to the dedicated team of Baxter Hire employees who, alongside owner Peter Burchell, have built and maintained a loyal customer base and high-quality fleet that reflects the rural, construction and civil infrastructure markets they serve,” he said.

“For the past 50 years Baxter Hire has become synonymous with the construction sector in south-east South Australia and Western Victoria, and we want to continue that legacy for years to come.”

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Burchel said similarities between the two businesses made the acquisition an enticing prospect.

“I only wanted to hand the reins to a company that could continue to serve this proud region the way we have for years, and Coates ticked every box. Coates is a respected brand that cares deeply about the local communities it operates in, and they’ve proven to me that they’ll be just as dedicated to our region as it continues to grow,” Burchel said.

The acquisition comes amid a period of high construction activity for the region. In Mount Gambier alone there has been a renewal of the local timber industry and major infrastructure projects and investments in the pipeline, including the Mount Gambier hospital redevelopment, TAFE upgrade, civil works on land redevelopment and new housing projects.

“Now more than ever, Coates is equipped to support this wave of activity and partner with the local community through the presence of a branch in Mount Gambier to deliver positive change for future generations,” Vitlich said.