RSK Group in deal with administrators for tree surgery company

RSK Group has acquired the business and assets of Hi-Line Contractors S.W., one of the UK’s leading tree surgery and management companies, from administrators, for an undisclosed sum.

South West England-based Hi-Line is known for delivering professional, safe and cost-effective solutions in all areas of arboriculture, grounds maintenance, training and associated services.

Originally established in 1998 by managing director Hugh Griffiths as a tree cutting company, today it provides a full range of commercial and domestic professional tree surgery and arboricultural services to a wide range of clients, in the power transmission, rail, construction, local authorities, and private client sectors.

The acquisition is a positive step forward for Hi-Line, securing the jobs for its 210 employees based in offices in Exeter, Bristol, Cornwall, and London, while seeing day-to-day business continue unchanged. The business will retain the Hi-Line brand as it operates as a new company, RSK Hi-Line Limited.

For Wirral-based RSK, Hi-Line helps to strengthen its offering in arboriculture, tree cutting, training and groundwork, bringing substantial additional coverage in the South and South West of England. Hi-Line will complement RSK’s existing tree cutting business, bts, as another strong brand with a robust range of clients.

Alan Ryder, RSK founder and CEO, said: “I am pleased to welcome Hi-Line and their 210-strong workforce into the group. RSK has been strategically building our technical service capabilities for several years as we want to be able to provide our clients with complete solutions throughout the entire lifespan of their projects.

“Tree surgery is a great example of this strategy in practice. Hi-Line is a very well placed business, ripe for future growth.”

Hugh Griffiths will continue as Hi-Line’s managing director, supported by the existing management team. Hugh said: “Joining forces with RSK is a great outcome for Hi-Line and our employees. I am looking forward to getting to know my new colleagues across the group and exploring how we can work together to benefit of our clients.”

Hi-Line will become part of RSK’s agriculture, land and property management division under the direction of Ian Strudwick, divisional director and a member of the RSK Group board of directors.

Ian said: “I am really excited to have Hugh and the whole team at Hi-Line join forces with RSK. Hi-Line has fantastic relationships with several key clients, no doubt because of the excellent service they have provided for many years. By joining RSK, the business will have the ability to grow far more than they would have had alone.”

Ben Barrett and John Carpenter of Dow Schofield Watts Business Recovery acted as administrators to the business.

John Carpenter said: “Hi-Line is an established business that encountered cashflow problems as a result of non payment for a major contract. Following a period of marketing we received a number of offers for the business. The sale to RSK represents a successful outcome for all concerned, securing the future of the business and the jobs of its employees.”