Passenger Lift Solutions (PLS), a leading UK manufacturer of wheelchair lifts for accessible vehicles, has been acquired by Hidral S.A., a worldwide provider of lifting and accessibility solutions, in a move that supports continued growth and long-term investment in the business.
The acquisition sees Hidral S.A., headquartered in Seville, Spain, take 100% ownership of PLS, recognising the company’s established position within the UK social welfare transport sector, its market-leading performance, and its reputation for engineering-led accessibility solutions. The acquisition also strengthens Hidral’s existing position in transport accessibility through Hidral Gobel, also part of the Hidral Group and specialised in accessibility solutions for road transport, creating a broader and more complementary platform for international growth. Several years of sustained growth and consistent business performance made PLS a natural strategic fit.
Adam Beck, Managing Director of Passenger Lift Solutions, said: “This is a very positive and significant moment for Passenger Lift Solutions.
“PLS has been specifically selected by Hidral because of our long-standing position as the market leader in the UK M2 sector. Our deep experience, strong reputation, and continued focus on how we design and deliver our products make us a natural fit to complement Hidral’s existing range across wider vehicle categories”.
“Importantly, the intention is to build on what already works. PLS will remain PLS, with the same people, the same values, and the same commitment to our customers, now supported by the additional reach, capability and resource of a wider international group”.
PLS will continue to operate as a standalone business under its existing name, with the current senior management team remaining in place and responsible for day-to-day operations. Customers and partners can expect continuity across all areas of the business, including product quality, service, warranty support and technical expertise.
The partnership brings together two organisations with complementary product ranges and shared engineering values. PLS products align naturally with Hidral’s wider portfolio, supporting expansion across different vehicle and accessibility applications. Florencio Chacartegui, Managing Director of Hidral, said: “This step reflects Hidral Group’s long-term strategy of growing internationally through the integration of specialised companies that complement our expertise, expand our capabilities and create new opportunities across key mobility and accessibility markets. In this context, the pairing of PLS and Hidral Gobel creates a highly valuable synergy by strengthening the Group’s overall offering across different vehicle segments and accessibility applications, while supporting its long-term international growth strategy”.
The acquisition also creates opportunities to strengthen collaboration across procurement, research and development, and manufacturing between the two businesses, providing a broader platform for innovation and long-term capability.
Hidral has more than 50 years of experience in the lifting and accessibility sector, with manufacturing facilities in Spain and an international presence across more than 120 countries. Its focus on engineering, quality control and product development aligns closely with PLS’ established approach in the UK market.
The acquisition marks the next phase of development for PLS, combining established UK expertise with the scale and engineering capability of an international organisation.