Ardent Backs Industry Growth with £40 Million Telehandler Investment from Manitou

Ardent Hire Solutions has underlined its confidence in the UK housing, construction & infrastructure sector with a huge £40 million investment in more than 450 new telehandlers from Manitou UK - the largest single order ever placed in the UK.

It’s a statement of intent from Ardent, which, after a successful restructure last year, is showing it’s firmly back on the front foot - growing fast, investing heavily, and backing customers with the kit, technology and service they need to deliver projects safely, on time and on budget.

Major fleet boost to meet customer demand

The new machines, which include models with lift heights from 4m up to 20m, will start joining Ardent’s nationwide fleet from January 2026. They’ll boost availability for customers across housing, construction, infrastructure, utilities, media and industrial sectors, while expanding Ardent’s ability to provide tailored solutions backed by its industry-leading digital platform and customer support.

“This £40 million deal with Manitou is a big moment for us,” said Julian O’Neill, CFO at Ardent Hire Solutions. “It shows the strength of our business and our commitment to investing where it really matters - in top-quality machines that make our customers’ jobs easier, safer and more productive. With this investment, we’re raising the bar again on service, performance and value.”

A trusted partnership delivering results

Manitou telehandlers have been part of Ardent’s fleet for many years, and the response from customers has been overwhelmingly positive. Operators and site managers have praised their reliability and ease of use, while lower maintenance costs and stronger residual values have made them a smart investment choice.

The new deal will see Manitou machines make up more than 30% of Ardent’s total telehandler fleet, cementing a partnership built on shared values of quality, innovation and customer focus.

Peter Smyth, Sales Director UK & Ireland at Manitou Group, said:
“We’re delighted to support Ardent with this landmark order. They’re a company that shares our commitment to quality and continuous improvement, and it’s exciting to see our machines playing a key role in their growth story.”

Future-focused and customer-driven

The investment is a major part of Ardent’s ongoing strategy to grow its fleet, expand its services and keep delivering for customers as the UK construction industry evolves. With a Net Promoter Score consistently above 80 and a digital platform that makes hiring easier and more efficient, Ardent continues to set the pace in the plant hire sector.

“We’re not just adding machines,” added O’Neill. “We’re building capacity, capability and confidence - for our customers and for the industry as a whole.”