Global group swoops for two Midlands businesses

A US firm which provides products and services for the rail and infrastructure markets has swooped for two Midlands businesses.

L.B. Foster Company has acquired Skratch Enterprises, a Telford-based digital solutions company, and Intelligent Video, based in Leamington Spa.

L.B. Foster designs, develops, manufactures, and installs a range of mobile, wireless, and digital customer information signage systems for use in railway stations and airports.

Skratch brings advanced digital display technology and capabilities to L.B. Foster that can be leveraged in both the rail space and adjacent retail markets.

Skratch has established a unique market position, offering a single-point supply solution model for clients, and enabling large scale deployments. Its service offerings include design, prototyping and proof of concept, hardware & software, logistics & warehousing, installation, maintenance, Content Management (CMS), and managed monitoring.

L.B. Foster has collaborated with Skratch on digital solutions for the retail sector in the past, including the first digital signage application using British sign language interpreters in ASDA superstores.

Meanwhile, IV is a developer of surveillance, security, and safety solutions.

John Kasel, president and chief executive officer of L.B. Foster Company, said: “These acquisitions fit neatly into the growth strategy L.B. Foster announced in 2021. The accomplished team at Skratch delivers new learning, expertise, and experience that complements existing L.B. Foster growth businesses, and enables access to wider target markets in the UK and Europe. IV provides unique expertise and capabilities that help enable our aspiration to grow our technology-focused solutions offering.”

Skratch and IV collectively employ 38 people.

L.B. Foster employs more than 450 people in the UK and employs approximately 1,300 worldwide.