Leeds-based Ant Hire has announced a significant expansion of its business and services fuelled by the commercial success of its technology led robotics and pressure testing divisions.

 The expansion of the specialist divisions is the first phase of an ambitious growth strategy that will increase turnover from £4 million to £10 million in the next five years and create a number of new job opportunities.

Ant Hire - one of the UK’s leading suppliers of specialist testing and construction equipment to the water industry - provides pressure testing solutions and specialist robotic inspection systems to large contractors and water companies across the country including Yorkshire Water, Thames Water, Kier, Lumsden & Carroll and JN Bentley. 

The Leeds-based water industry supplier has opened a new head office and is expanding its robotics and  pressure testing division. The new space will enable the business to expand its core teams to support growth.

The new site will also be home to Ant Hire’s research and development division that will focus on developing new products and processes. The team has already developed a number of design patents and inventions,  including the ‘Ten Minute Test’ – a water pressure testing system which has reduced the time required to check for leaks, dramatically reducing water company reconnection times – and developing bespoke robotic camera systems now used by the nuclear industry.

 Adrian Thompson, Ant Hire Managing Partner, commented:

 “Ant Hire has always been a well known name in the water supply industry but we’ve recently seen a huge increase in new business enquiries, particularly in our robotics and pressure testing divisions which has meant we needed to grow to keep pace with demand.”

 “At Ant Hire we aim to provide our customers involved in drainage and clean water networks with an excellent service and the new space and additions to the team will enable us to offer a one-stop shop for products, advice and technical support to get the job done and to make things simpler for customers.”

 As part of the recent growth, Ant Hire has also strengthened its senior team with the appointment of Director Antony Scott. With more than 10 years working in senior roles within the drainage industry, he will lead all sales activity for the business and will oversee the launch of new prototype equipment in both the pressure testing and robotics divisions.