Ainscough says deal to buy heavy lifting and transport business is ‘biggest in its history’
Wigan-based Ainscough Industrial Services (AIS) has acquired FFM Engineering Services, professionally known as Flegg Projects.
However, even though Ainscough aren’t saying how much they paid, they are saying it is the largest in their history.
It will give the global engineering solutions business a strong foothold in the medical equipment logistics market as well as boosting its client base across all manufacturing sectors including energy, aerospace, pharmaceutical and automotive.
Last year AIS as a whole made £587,000 in pre-tax profits on turnover of £25.5m.
Aylesbury based Flegg filed abbreviated accounts that showed total assets of £3.9m.
Flegg Projects provides logistics and engineering services, with a reputation for moving individual items of specialist equipment to entire factory relocations and systems installations.
Matt Ainscough, CEO of Ainscough Industrial Services said: “Flegg’s specialised Medical division is unique in the UK and dovetails perfectly with AIS’s existing capabilities. Their transportation fleet, warehousing and OEM support functions immediately boost our market position and will propel the overall Group offer moving forwards.
“With this acquisition, alongside our existing companies, our machinery installation and removal capabilities are market leading in the UK and push us towards being one of the largest in Europe. We will continue to grow and will make further acquisitions where we can see true added value.”
The business operates from two sites in Aylesbury, a 45,000-square-foot Head Office and Medical Division and a 25,000-square-foot depot warehouse and yard and employs 55 people. It runs over 40 commercial vehicles and vans as well as a wholly owned fleet of specialist lifting equipment.
Flegg Projects’ customers include industry-leading companies across a range of sectors including healthcare, manufacturing and logistics. The business has experienced robust revenue growth since 2020 and is currently on track to generate revenue of £9.3m this fiscal year.
“I’ve known Matt for years and have touched on acquisition a couple of times in the past and I now feel that this is the right time to come together and join the ever-growing business and team at AIS,” said Jayson Flegg, Managing Director at Flegg Projects.
By becoming part of the AIS family, we not only future proof the business but it gives us the knowledge and resources to grow it to the next level. Having recently celebrated 50 years in business I feel very excited to share our experience with AIS and bring our companies to a plateau that many will have to strive to attain.”
Ainscough also said: “Fleggs, like AIS, is a business whose focus is on quality, service and safety through continued investment in the best possible people and equipment.
“Demand for its services is increasing year-on-year and the company has identified a robust pipeline of opportunities, including significant potential projects with multinational firms and global conglomerates.”
AIS is an international group of companies specialising in supporting industrial operators worldwide. AIS Vanguard, AIS Eurelo, AIS Wind Energy and VIG Industrial Relocation are dedicated to lifting, removing, relocating, installing and decommissioning industrial equipment and machinery as well as offering CDM and Project Management.
The company operates from 15 sites across the UK and Europe and, with the acquisition of Flegg Projects, now employs over 300 people.
Lawyers at Clarke Willmott advised Ainscough, led by Manchester-based corporate partner Ed Foulkes. It also included Matthew Dootson and Chloe Santiago (corporate), Alex Walsh (commercial property), Chris Connors and Bassey Hogan-Itam (tax), Sarah MacLarty and Louise Rogers (employment) and Harvinder Kandola (banking and finance).
Pictured above, L-R: Jayson Flegg, Managing Director at Flegg Projects; Matt Ainscough, CEO of AIS Group; Kiersty Cox, Finance & HR Director, Flegg Projects.
