Acquisition(s)

Ashtead Group PLC                               

                 Acquisition of Empire Holdings Inc ("Empire")                 

Ashtead Group PLC ("Ashtead") announces that its US subsidiary, Sunbelt Rentals
Inc has acquired Empire for an initial consideration(1) of approximately US$38m
which was paid in cash at closing(2). $1.5m of additional cash consideration may
also become payable depending on Empire's profits in the year to 31 August
2011.

Empire, based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana with 7 branches in the states of
Louisiana, Texas, Alabama and Tennessee, is a specialist provider of scaffold
rental, erection and dismantlement services to principally an industrial
customer base in Gulf Coast petrochemical industries. In the year to 31 August
2010 Empire reported revenues of $42m and a pre-tax profit of $4.0m. Its gross
assets at 31 August 2010 were $35m.

Geoff Drabble, chief executive commented:

"We are delighted to conclude this acquisition which is firmly in line with our
long term strategy of developing high value added speciality businesses which
broaden our product offering and the markets we serve and provide us with
significant cross selling opportunities. Empire will operate as a wholly owned
subsidiary within Sunbelt's scaffold division with its key managers all
remaining with the business."


Contacts:

Geoff Drabble          Chief executive           )   020 726 9700            
Ian Robson             Finance director          )                           
Brian Hudspith         Maitland                      020 7379 5151           

(1) Including the amount paid to pay off Empire's net debt at closing 

(2) Empire was acquired from a private investor group comprised of individual
    investors and members of its management team