Lanes Group acquires AQS Environmental Solutions

Lanes Group plc has announced the acquisition of the Arlo Group, the owners of AQS Environmental Solutions, one of Ireland’s largest providers of drainage, industrial and waste management services.

UKDN Waterflow (LG) Ltd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Lanes Group, also acquired the business and assets of UKDN Waterflow Limited (in Administration) and UKDN Waterflow Technical Services Limited (in Administration) on November 5th of last year.

Situated in Tipperary, Arlo Group is comprised of AQS Environmental Solutions and sludge-to-compost recycling company Acorn Recycling. AQS Environmental Solutions provides a variety of specialist drainage services to local authorities, private industry and residential customers across Ireland.

Lanes Group comprises 1,703 staff, 27 operating centres and five utility hubs, providing expertise across all key commercial and industrial sectors including water utilities, transportation, energy, local government, construction, insurance and domestic.

Richard Leigh, Business Development Director of Lanes Group, said: “Both acquisitions deliver new business opportunities that are an excellent strategic fit, both with our current services, and our plans for growth.

AQS Environmental Solutions has sound finances, a strong brand, and a good reputation with customers in Ireland. Acquiring the company helps us achieve a strategic ambition to extend our geographical reach, where it is financially and operationally prudent to do so.

UKDN Waterflow (LG) Ltd has a depot network which geographically broadly complements the depots we already had, and helps us to deepen our presence and capabilities in key sectors, notably highways and rail.

It has also given us the opportunity to re-enter the insurance drainage maintenance and repair market, where UKDN Waterflow (LG) Ltd has a strong presence.

We are excited by the opportunity these acquisitions give us to combine our expertise and experience to provide all our customers across the UK and Ireland with even better drainage and maintenance services and greater value.

I would like to take this opportunity to welcome our new colleagues at AQS Environmental Solutions and UKDN Waterflow (LG) Ltd to the Lanes Group plc team.”

Looking ahead to the future

Lanes Group has already stated that the established management team at AQS will remain in place. The company has 60 employees, with a strong presence in wastewater tinkering and waste management.

UKDN Waterflow (LG) Ltd has 254 employees who have joined Lanes Group plc under TUPE regulations.

Richard Leigh further commented that key priorities in establishing UKDN Waterflow (LG) Ltd have been to meet customer and staff across the UK and give assurances about Lanes Group’s commitment to the business and its development.

He added: “I am pleased to report that the feedback from customers has been very positive, with customers novating agreement and contracts that will allow us to build the business in 2016.

They are impressed with our commitment to the service they receive, and our plans to improve it still further, with particular attention to business-critical factors, including health and safety, customer service, plus operational efficiency and effectiveness.

They also know that, with Lanes Group’s financial and operational stability behind UKDN Waterflow (LG) Ltd, they can be confident that business and service continuity is assured.

We have been impressed with the commitment of staff at UKDN Waterflow (LG) Ltd to the business, and their desire to make it a success. They have skills and know-how that will add value across all Lanes Group operations.

Unfortunately, UKDN Waterflow had been experiencing a decline in its customer base, in recent years, which contributed to its financial difficulties. With our intervention, its position is secure. We are confident, as UKDN Waterflow (LG) Ltd, the new business can start to win back customers in 2016, and return to growth.”

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