Electricity Network Solutions snapped up by French group

ELECTRICITY Network Solutions (ENS), a Cheshire firm that builds overhead power lines, has been bought by the French group SPIE.

The Sandbach-based firm was established in 2007 following the merger of Emerald Power and HVPM. It is owned by Steve Hodge, Aidan Gunning and Mike Snee who will continue to manage the business.

It has seven UK offices and 160 staff. The business is expected to generate revenues of £35m in the year to September.

SPIE said the deal – the value of which was not disclosed – would enable it to enter a new infrastructure market “with huge investment prospects”, as UK electrical networks are rebuilt, extended and renewed over the next 10 years.

ENS already works with the owners of distribution and transmission networks including Electricity North West, Northern Ireland Electricity, Scottish Power, UK Power Networks and Western Power Distribution.

Mr Gunning said: “We are delighted that ENS will be joining the SPIE Group, this represents a fantastic opportunity for our employees, the company and our customers alike. As SPIE ENS, we look forward to delivering upon the significant opportunities that the overhead line market presents.”

James Thoden van Velzen, chief executive of SPIE UK, said: “ENS is a great business with a strong cultural fit with SPIE in people skills and a powerful focus on customers, health and safety and the environment. The acquisition further advances our plan to expand our geographical footprint in the UK and gives us entry into an exciting new sector that has an identified investment plan of around £32bn over the next 10 years.”

ENS was advised by Grant Thornton and lawyers at Heatons.

In May SPIE bought the Stockport electrical contractor Alard.