Fox Group expands services with acquisition of Lancashire business

Blackpool’s Fox Group has acquired Lostock Hall-based J J O’Grady, for an undisclosed sum, to further extend its range of services.

Fox specialises in the supply and haulage of aggregates, recycled materials, muck shift and earthworks and says the deal makes strategic sense as it look to grow the business further.

Established in 2006, J J O’Grady offers infrastructure and highways maintenance works, including street lighting.

It has a track record of working with local authorities, housing developers and civil engineering contractors. Under the terms of the deal J J O’Grady will continue to trade under its own name.

Fox Director, John Flood, said: “The acquisition makes perfect strategic sense for our business as J J O’Grady Limited adds a number of different services and different customers, including local authorities.

“It has an excellent reputation, and we believe it has a great deal of potential to grow. That’s our aim, to want to continue to build and grow the business by taking advantage of synergies across the wider Fox Group.”

He added: “In practical terms it’s a deal that makes solid business sense. We will be able to offer clients a more complete solution from site preparation through to highways and street maintenance. Our focus is on providing a single source solution for local authorities, housebuilders, infrastructure, construction and civils contractors.”

Founder, Seamus O’Grady, will stay in the business, the firm will continue under its existing brand, and day-to-day operations will be carried out from its base at Lostock Lane, Lostock Hall.

John Flood said “We would like to thank our non-executive director, Owen McLaughlin, for his support through the acquisition process.”

Fox was advised by Hill Dickinson and J J O’Grady was advised by Brabners.

In September 2020, Fox acquired Clive Hurt (Plant Hire) Limited to create the largest provider of haulage and plant hire services in Lancashire, with a 180-strong fleet of wagons and more than 400 items of plant and machinery.

John Flood said: “ We will continue to look for other opportunities to expand our services.”

Established in 1932, Fox operates from two locations in Blackpool. Its office headquarters is on the Whitehills Business Park, and in 2019, Fox moved its transport and recycling yard to new premises at Squires Gate Industrial Estate, to facilitate the larger fleet.