Global firm acquires Yorkshire manufacturer

MULTINATIONAL construction company Laing O’Rourke has acquired a Yorkshire architectural glass reinforced concrete firm.

South Yorkshire firm Glass Reinforced Concrete UK (GRCUK), which specialises in bespoke architectural glass reinforced concrete products, will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of the group and 38 full-time staff will transfer to the contractor.

Dinnington-based GRCUK was established in 2009 and claims to be one of Europe’s leading manufacturers and suppliers of glass reinforced concrete products to the architectural, civil engineering and rail industries.

Dartford-headquartered Laing O’Rourke, which has an office in Leeds, said the acquisition would allow the group to deliver specialist engineering contracts that require complex spray process GRC to meet “demanding quality and performance characteristics on large building and infrastructure projects”.

Russell Kellett, head of manufacturing said: “The addition of GRCUK is a step forward in our Design for Manufacture and Assembly approach, giving Laing O’Rourke a well-structured and financed organisation that is positioned strongly in the UK market to secure a large proportion of the GRC-specified work currently being tendered and awarded.
 
“As an established business with a proven record, a good order book, fully equipped factory with great transport links, and a committed workforce, I believe this acquisition will enable us to tap into new areas of the market to develop a lightweight cladding product.  With the financial resources of the Laing O’Rourke Group behind it, there is considerable scope for increasing the profitability of the business through the significant operating synergies we see with our core construction and infrastructure delivery business units.”