Equipment hire outfit Electra is the latest kit hire company to call time saying “intensifying price competition and a race to the bottom in job quoting” has made “sustainable operations increasingly difficult.”
Company directors, Crispin Kyle and Doug Urquhart, will wind the 40-year-old company down voluntarily over the coming months with Electra’s kit going to an auction that will be hosted by CVP (see below).
Electra’s statement says:
After more than 40 years at the heart of the industry, Electra is preparing to close its doors, bringing a remarkable chapter to an end. What started as an ambitious venture grew into one of the sector’s enduring success stories, built not just on equipment and expertise, but on people.
From its earliest days, Electra set itself apart as a company driven by relationships. The directors credit its longevity to an exceptional network of staff, kit room technicians—past and present—freelancers, and loyal clients. Crews were never assembled by chance; they were carefully curated to deliver not just technical excellence, but a seamless, human experience on every production.
The company also became a quiet incubator of talent. Through its kit room, Electra trained and supported countless crew members who have gone on to thrive across the industry—a legacy the directors regard with particular pride.
Electra’s portfolio reflects the breadth of its influence. Over the decades, it moved effortlessly across genres, contributing to everything from corporate and commercial projects to high-profile drama and entertainment. Its more recent credits include names such as Top Gear, Grand Tour, Gold Rush, A League of Their Own, Rob and Romesh, Here We Go, Big Mood, Dreamland and Piglets —a testament to both its versatility and reputation.
Yet even the most established players are not immune to shifting tides. In recent years, the industry has undergone profound change, with intensifying price competition and a “race to the bottom” in job quoting making sustainable operations increasingly difficult. Despite efforts by the current directors to secure Electra’s future, the broader landscape now leaning toward consolidation rather than growth has made continuation unviable.
Electra’s closure marks more than the end of a company, it signals the passing of an era defined by craft, community, and a deeply personal approach to production.
The business will now be wound down voluntarily over the coming months. For enquiries relating to the company or its equipment, interested parties are invited to contact Crispin or Doug directly for further information.
The company will be holding an auction hosted by CVP from Monday 29th June – Monday 6th July 2026. Viewings by appointment over 3 days, Wednesday 24th, Thursday 25th and Friday 26th June.
Preview Monday 15th June 2026.
https://cvp.com/auction
Call 020 8232 8899
Jon Creamer
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