Acquisition

Speedy Hire PLC
28 February 2005

                                                                28 February 2005



                                Speedy Hire Plc



         Acquisition of the hire division of Lloyds British Testing Plc

                            ('Lloyds British Hire')





Speedy Hire announces the acquisition of the business and certain assets of
Lloyds British Hire for a maximum cash consideration of £3.1 million.  The
acquisition comprises the entire lifting and tool equipment rental business of
Lloyds British Testing Plc but excludes its powered access equipment hire
business.

Lloyds British Hire is a long established and well respected hirer of lifting
equipment, which has particular strength in the industrial services sector.  Its
acquisition will further consolidate Speedy Lifting as market leader and
accelerate the opportunities for the Group in non-construction markets.

The acquisition will provide Speedy Lifting with six depots in areas previously
identified by the Group for greenfield expansion.  For the year ended 31
December 2004, the unaudited turnover and operating profit attributable to the
net assets being acquired were £4.2 million and £0.3 million respectively. As at
31 December 2004, the book value of the net assets being acquired was
approximately £2.8 million.

John Brown, Chief Executive, said:

'The acquisition of Lloyds British Hire further consolidates Speedy Lifting's
market leading position.  It provides Speedy Hire with access to new customers
and accelerates the Group's expansion into non-construction markets.  The
addition of six depots to the Speedy Lifting network extends our geographic
coverage and enhances our service offering to customers.'
-ends-


www.speedyhire.plc.uk

Speedy Hire Plc                                              gcg hudson sandler
Neil O'Brien, Group Finance Director                 Nick Lyon / James Benjamin
Tel: [phone]                                           Tel: [phone]

Note to editors:

Speedy Hire is the number one provider of equipment hire services in the UK,
operating from over 300 depots throughout the country.  The Group is focused
primarily on tool hire, with complementary businesses specialising in portable
accommodation, lifting equipment, surveying and measurement instruments and
compressed air and power generating equipment.



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