South Wales-based geotechnical experts Quantum GB has acquired Carmarthenshire-based civil engineering company S&E (Surveying & Engineering) Ltd as part of major expansion plans across the southern half of the UK.
It makes the combined business one of the largest specialist geotechnical & civil engineering operations in Wales and the South West with a joint turnover of around £8m.
The deal, which involves the acquisition of the entire share capital of S&E for an undisclosed sum, has been sealed despite the tough economic climate.
Adrian Gigg, Commercial Director at Llanelli-based Quantum GB said: “This acquisition says a lot about the commitment we have to drive our business forward. Even though the market has been difficult, we have made a significant investment in purchasing a stand-alone civil engineering business.
“Having said that, our geotechnical Investigation department has had the busiest start to the year in our history and we fully expect this level of activity to lead to significant opportunities for our geotechnical contracting department as we move forward. I am convinced that the acquisition of S&E will prove to be very astute.
“The acquisition of S&E will put at our disposal extra resources including plant, manpower, experience and expertise in complimentary fields, as well as the opportunity to provide our clients with an increased service offering.”
Elfed Davies, former owner of S&E which was established 30 years ago, has accepted a role as general manager of S&E.
Elfed Davies said: “I’m very pleased that the company I co-founded has been purchased by Quantum GB. The directors’ share my vision for the company and are the right people to take it to the next level. I am extremely happy to have accepted a position within the business and look forward to helping the new owners move the business forward.
“I am convinced that our long standing clients will continue to benefit form the excellent service levels we offer and will also be able to benefit from the services that Quantum brings with it as part of the purchase. S&E deals with both public and private sector clients with the majority being public sector, whilst Quantum deals predominantly with private sector projects.
“I believe that the acquisition will prove to be the catalyst for further opportunities in both arenas. S&E will continue to trade under its own name for the foreseeable future, a testament to the standing and reputation within its sector”.
The business has a combined workforce of 65 with plans to expand in the future with further contract wins.
Established in 2004 from a management buy-out of a division of the former Thyssen Construction, Quantum GB has been involved in many high profile projects throughout the UK including the LNG pipeline, a major engineering feat, which stretched right across Wales.
Headquarted in Llanelli, Quantum GB operates predominantly in the southern half of the UK and opened offices in Swindon and Exeter earlier this year. Quantum GB has carried out a wide range of projects, from marine investigations in Wales, to piling works in Dublin, mineshaft capping in Cornwall, slope stabilisation on the Isle of Man and retaining structures at Luton Airport.
S&E was founded 30 years ago and has carried out major projects including a £2.9m highway contract tied in with the extension of West Wales Airport at Aberporth, Ceredigion. S&E has a strong pedigree in the provision of agricultural schemes including the design and construction of a 400-cow dairy unit that incorporated housing, waste management, parlour and dairy facilities.
