The Whitnell Companies are family run businesses headed by managing director, Lionel Whitnell. With over 30 years personnel experience in the Civil Engineering and Plant Hire Industry, Lionel knows the meaning of customer service, tailoring his businesses to meet the customer’s needs and requirements.

Whitnell Plant was formed in 1987 as a plant hire business that has constantly expanded since. Lionel is very much a 'hands on" person, he is constantly investing in new plant, which can be hired, operated, self-drive or on a lease hire basis. All Whitnell Plant hire, includes complete servicing, repairs and replacement cover.

Whitnell Contracts Limited was formed in 1991 where its primary roll was the construction of golf courses. The quality of work being produced soon brought Whitnell Contracts to the attention of other clients requiring the same standards of workmanship on their own projects. The company began to forge strong relationships with a number of clients including Bovis, Fitzpatrick, Costains, Jackson Civil Engineering, John Mowlem and Cory Environmental.

The ever-changing requirements of the plant hire and civil engineering industry’s, combined with Lionel’s determination to provide the best service possible meant that new and existing markets were explored.

Recognising a growing trend for compact machine hire, Lionel formed Whitnell Hire Services in 2003 to supply compact and mid sized machines to the domestic and commercial markets. The company has invested over £500,000 in creating a fleet machines ranging in size from 0.8 tonne to 8 tonne, enabling Whitnell Hire Services to offer the right machine for the right job.