M&A

Liverpool-based mechanical and electrical (M&E) specialist HE Simm has called in administrators, citing “enormous pressure on the business” that it could not withstand. The family-owned firm, represented by law firm Hill Dickinson, submitted a notice of intention on 5 September and appointed administrators Patrick Lannagan, Adam Harris and Richard Hough…

Statom has acquired a specialist geotechnical and piling firm with a turnover of more than £40m.  London Bridge-based Statom, which turned over £180m in the year to 30 November 2024, has bought Franki Foundations UK for an undisclosed sum.  Franki Foundations UK was previously owned by BESIX Group, a Belgian…

John Sisk & Son has agreed to acquire Farrans Construction from building materials provider CRH. Farrans, which employs 625 people, is a Northern Ireland-based contractor operating in building and civil engineering across sectors including aviation, water and renewable energy in the UK and Ireland. The deal, which remains subject to…

Bowmer & Kirkland has acquired London-based office interiors specialist Denton as part of its strategy to expand in the commercial fit-out sector. The move sees Denton, which marks its 30th year in business, join the privately owned Bowmer & Kirkland Group. The Derbyshire-based tier one contractor reported turnover of £1.25bn…

Utilities specialist OCU Group has acquired a majority stake in Brisbane-based contractor All Energy Contracting (AEC), marking its first move into international markets. AEC, founded in 2018, delivers services in solar, wind, storage, civil engineering and power infrastructure across Australia and New Zealand. It will continue trading under its own…

Nearly two thirds of executives are expecting more UK firms to be acquired by overseas companies in the next 12 months, according to a survey. The study, by law firm Browne Jacobson, also found an expected rise in inward investment. Michael Sadler, partner and head of real estate and construction…

Demolition specialist Thompsons of Prudoe has been acquired by construction materials firm Ashcourt Group. Northumberland-based Thompsons was founded in 1948 as a haulier of agricultural products such as lime, manure and slag, before it expanded operations from the 1960s-1980s, becoming a high-hazard demolition expert. It was founded by Bill and…

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has formally launched an official investigation into Kingspan’s anticipated acquisition of steel cladding provider Coverworld. The move comes after the CMA last month invited comments from the industry on the potential impact of the move on competition. The regulatory body now has a deadline…

Investment firm Svella has agreed a deal to acquire Carlisle-based contractor Cubby Construction. Family-run Cubby has been operating since 1968 but it had recently experienced difficulties, its director revealed. The Cumbria News & Star quoted director Tommy Cubby as saying the firm had suffered financial issues when working on and…

William Hare Group has been sold to an entrepreneur based in Manchester for an undisclosed sum. Simon Orange – co-owner of rugby union club Sale Sharks and brother of Take That member Jason Orange – bought a majority stake in the constructional steel firm. In a statement today, the contractor…