Countryside via Via
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• Via Truck Rental, the UK subsidiary of the French Transport Services Group Gil, has bought Hertfordshire-based Countryside Hire. The deal is the result of six months of negotiation, and doubles Via's UK fleet to 1,000 vehicles. Via — which is part-owned by Renault Truck Industries — has acquired 85% of the Countryside equity. According to Via managing director John Harris, this is his company's first move towards becoming a leading player in the UK commercial vehicle rental and contract hire market. Via has been looking for suitable acquisitions for more than a year. More additions are expected soon.
Countryside is a longestablished family firm; its management stays unchanged.