Brulines to acquire LBI Installations

BRULINES Group, which provides monitoring systems and data management services for the leisure and forecourt services sectors, announced today that it has agreed to acquire Halifax-based LBI Installations.

Established in 2006, LBI operates web-based contract management services for forecourt operations, including those of a leading UK supermarket retailer.

The company also offers forecourt engineering and project management to a number of forecourt operators.

Brulines will initially pay £360,000 for the company, followed by performance related deferred consideration.

Unaudited accounts for LBI for the year ended March 31 show that the company recorded an EBITDA of £166,000 on a turnover of more than £1.2m.

On completion of the acquisition Craig Brocklehurst, managing director of LBI, will be appointed operations director of Brulines’ forecourt services division.

Brulines’ forecourt strategy aims to deliver a market leading, integrated toolbox of data management, analysis and associated products and services that allow forecourt operators to optimise return on investment from their fuel stocks and the assets designed to store, control and issue fuel.

This strategy has been progressed through the acquisition of Edensure, a wet stock management business in October 2008, followed by the appointment of Phil Maud from Morrisons Supermarkets in September 2009.

Energy Level Systems, the gauging systems, tank lining, LPG and forecourt services business, was acquired in April, and recently, Brulines acquired Retail & Forecourt Solutions, a market leader in fuel pump calibration, adjustment and legal verification.

Phil Maud, managing director of Brulines’ forecourt services division, said: “This acquisition is one of the final elements in building a product portfolio and organisation capable of delivering our forecourt strategy.

“Our recent acquisitions in forecourt services are well run, profitable businesses employing high calibre people. We are now focused on growing our business organically by building on the broad customer base which has resulted from this year’s acquisitions.”

He added: “Across the division we now supply solutions to UK forecourt retailers accounting for over 60% of the fuel sold in the UK, including most of the major supermarkets and leading oil company brands.”

Completion on the deal is scheduled for July 16.