Ashtead predicts a boost from US infrastructure plans

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The head of equipment rental group Ashtead said a wave of spending on upgrading U.S. roads, railroads and bridges is more likely than it has been for a generation and will be a big help to its industry.

“Posting the election and, with the Biden administration, is shaping up to be more likely than I’ve ever seen. . . That’s when, not if. ” Said Brendan Horgan, CEO of the group on the FTSE list, which is also the second largest equipment rental group in the United States. “It simply came to our notice then. . .[spending]if it arrives ”.

Proposals by Republican senators this week, for $ 568 billion in federal infrastructure spending, they have exceeded the $ 2 million demanded by U.S. President Joe Biden. However, even with reduced spending, Horgan estimated an additional $ 100-160 million in addition to the $ 475 billion in annual spending on non-residential construction.

However, the company, which operates as Sunbelt Rentals and hires equipment such as excavators, tools and power generators, said the details were still too uncertain to include as a factor in the updated financial targets during its capital markets this week.

Its goal is for revenue growth to increase from £ 4.9 billion a year over the twelve months to January to around £ 6.3 billion a year in the 2024 financial year.

“I’ve been waiting 25 years from an infrastructure standpoint,” Horgan said, adding that spending plans would likely be less than $ 2 million because “an unfathomable amount” had been spent on measures. stimulus in response to the pandemic.

William Kirkness, a Jefferies analyst, said spending on infrastructure would increase demand for equipment and tools, raising rates that Sunbelt could charge. “It’s going to suck a lot of teams,” he said.

Ashtead has diversified into other rental markets in addition to construction to make the business less cyclical. The group’s revenue fell during the pandemic because much of the construction and events sectors stopped last spring, but demand for equipment for hospitals and test sites cushioned the blow.

Horgan, which rose to Sunbelt’s ranks, hopes to expand its rental market share to 20% in North America in the long run by expanding its product range, opening new locations and buying smaller rivals.

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