.jpg)
Keepmoat has today (20th January 2010) announced the
acquisition of Yorkshire-based specialist contractor Milnerbuild as
part of its plans for further expansion.
The move strengthens Keepmoat's 'one-stop shop' offering of products and services by establishing Milnerbuild as the group's vehicle for delivering 24-hour responsive repairs, in support of the work of Bramall Construction, Frank Haslam Milan (FHM) and Keepmoat Homes.
It has capped a great start to the year for Keepmoat, coming just weeks after its appointment to the Homes and Communities Agency's Delivery Partner Panel, which has been set up to deliver new affordable housing across England.
Milnerbuild is a specialist contractor with considerable experience in responsive maintenance and repairs, gained through working with a range of housing providers and local authorities. The company has offices in Leeds, and Darlington and employs around 120 employees, working with local authorities, social landlords and public sector organisations, providing round-the-clock repair and maintenance services to around 15,000 properties a year.
Keepmoat, through its delivery companies FHM and Bramall Construction, works for local authorities and housing providers across the UK, helping to improve more than 40,000 homes and build more than 1,000 affordable housing units each year.
Allen Hickling, Keepmoat's Director of Regeneration, said: "This is a positive move for both companies and fits with our exciting plans to deliver a wider package of services to our partners, providing a comprehensive array of housing maintenance and new build solutions.
"We have experience of delivering responsive repairs, in Yorkshire and the East of England, but this acquisition will allow us to offer a more improved and dedicated service on a larger scale to many more of our partners and customers."
He added: "We plan to grow Milnerbuild, along with all Keepmoat companies, and have been impressed by the company's track record and excellent reputation for delivery in Yorkshire and the North East. We are confident that the synergies of the group will attract many more opportunities in the future.
"We are delighted to be welcoming Milnerbuild and its employees into the Keepmoat group."
Despite enjoying strong growth since the buy-out in 2007, Keepmoat is constantly driving to expand its business and improve its offering to customers. The acquisition of Milnerbuild continues this and demonstrates commitment of Lloyds Banking Group to the business.
Alistair Hodgson, who joins the group as Milnerbuild's Managing Director, said: 'We are delighted to be joining Keepmoat, in a move that places Milnerbuild in a strong position to deliver future opportunities to achieve sustainable growth.
"I am especially pleased for the Milnerbuild team, who are a group of dedicated and talented individuals with a very positive future in the provision of a fully integrated repair, maintenance and regeneration solution."
With a history dating back to 1937, Milnerbuild
grew significantly following a management buy-in by Diarmaid Kelly,
Alistair Hodgson and Richard Milner, a member of the founding
family. A culture of excellence was established and nurtured, and
it was this facet of the business that Keepmoat saw as a mirror
image of its position in the market place.
Following the sale of the business, Diarmaid Kelly will seek out
new 'hands-on' investment opportunities and Richard Milner
will continue to operate within the construction sector.
The transaction was supported by James Stones of Park Place Corporate Finance and Jonathan Jones of Hammonds, who advised Keepmoat, and Wyn Jones at Eversheds, who advised Milnerbuild.
