ECI set to fuel growth at Clarke Energy
MERSEYSIDE company Clarke Energy, which installs green energy systems worldwide, has sold a minority stake to private equity firm ECI.
In a deal led by KPMG Corporate Finance in Manchester, ECI will boost Clarke Energy’s global plans for growth in China, India and Australia.
Based in Knowsley near Liverpool, Clarke Energy employs 700 people worldwide, with a record turnover of around £201m in the year to the end of October 2011 (£180m in 2010) and operating profits of £11.5m.
Financial terms were not disclosed.
Clarke is the world’s largest independent provider of efficient, clean energy solutions using GE’s class-leading Jenbacher gas engines. The engines can run on a wide range of gas sources, including: natural gas, waste gases from mining, and gas from renewable sources such as sewage and landfill.
It has provided engines for installations such as Guys & St Thomas’ Hospital, The Shard building in London and the King’s Cross development.
Chairman Jim Clarke, said: “ECI have a proven track record investing in ambitious, high-growth companies. We are very happy to have them on board, as they support Clarke Energy in the next stage of its expansion.”
John Hayhurst, a Manchester-based director ECI and who is also taking a non-executive board position, added: “Clarke Energy is a tremendous UK success story. From a base in Knowsley the company has achieved tremendous international expansion.
“We have been impressed by the client-focused culture within the business and its strong record of growth. We hope ECI’s investment will help to accelerate the growth in both existing and new markets.”
Clarke Energy has already begun to operate in new markets China, India, Australia, Nigeria, Tunisia, Algeria and New Zealand.
The company, previously backed by 3i between 1999 and 2010, is now run by Jim Clarke’s son Jamie.
Jim Clarke joined what was then called Marine Manpower (Services) Ltd in the mid 1989. Based in Aintree it had just four staff and annual sales of £500,000.
By 1992 he had grown it to around 40 staff nd a turnover of approximately £4m. In 1992 new purpose built premises were purchased at Unity Grove, Knowsley Business Park in Liverpool. It was renamed Clarke Energy in 1997.
The KPMG corporate finance team advising Clarke Energy was led by partner and head of northern corporate finance Jonathan Boyers.
