RSK continues expansion with two new acquisitions

RSK Group Ltd, a leading integrated environmental, engineering and technical services business, has today announced the expansion of its asbestos and engineering services with the double acquisition of asbestos removal specialists PA Group and civil and structural engineering company RoC Consulting. The businesses are based in Dartford, Kent, and Manchester, respectively, and are RSK’s fifth and sixth acquisitions of 2020.

A specialist in asbestos management, PA Group is a multi-discipline, HSE-licensed asbestos removal and UKAS-accredited asbestos inspection and testing contractor. It employs 50 people and provides a flexible and comprehensive portfolio of asbestos services to property and construction clients in the public and private sectors, including asbestos surveys, remediation, roofing and contract delivery.

PA Group, whose major recent projects including asbestos removal at the historic Alexandra Palace, London, for Willmott Dixon (2017); asbestos surveys for Ipswich Borough Council (2016–19); and, since 2011, asbestos surveys, reinspections and management advice at sites throughout the UK for the Canal & River Trust, will enhance RSK’s already strong asbestos services. The company has received various accreditations demonstrating an ongoing commitment to health and safety, quality and the environment, while reassuring clients of its competence and expertise. It is UKAS accredited, SafeContractor approved and a Constructionline Gold member.

Manchester-based RoC Consulting provides civil, structural, and geo-environmental consultancy advice to the property and construction sectors. The 20-strong business has a strong reputation for quality, innovation and providing pragmatic strategic advice. It will strengthen RSK’s geosciences and engineering division and work closely with the civil and structural engineering businesses already in the RSK Group.

RoC Consulting has recently provided geotechnical investigation as well as civil and structural engineering design services for the recently installed landmark Bridge at Airport City Manchester and the iconic 370,000 sq ft commercial office tower building at No. 1 Spinningfields, Manchester; civil engineering, earth science and structural engineering services for the Royal Horticultural Society’s 62-hectare Garden Bridgewater in Salford, the largest gardening project in Europe; and completed the structural design for the renovation of footwear retailer Schuh’s flagship store on Oxford Street, London, completed in March 2020.

“I am delighted to welcome PA Group and RoC Consulting to the RSK Group of businesses,” says RSK Chief Executive Office and founder, Alan Ryder. “Our strategy of diversification and growth is helping RSK to navigate through the coronavirus crisis, and our focus remains on creating a stronger, more resilient business, providing complete solutions to our clients. In PA Group and RoC Consulting, we have found two well-respected businesses who share our vision and values. I look forward to seeing both businesses grow within the group.”

PA Group will become part of RSK’s contracting division and will work closely with RSK’s existing asbestos business. It will continue to be led by Managing Director Chris Miller-Hanna.

Chris Miller-Hanna comments, “In these unprecedented and uncertain times, stability for the PA team and our loyal clients is paramount and was at the forefront when making the recent decision to join RSK. PA Group has always been about integrity, honesty and safety, with a caring culture and when approached by RSK it was an easy decision. There are so many similarities in style and approach, we hope that PA Group is a great acquisition. I look forward to working with the rest of the RSK businesses to achieve mutual benefits for our clients as well as realise the opportunities that may unfold for the team at PA.”

Meanwhile, RoC Consulting will join RSK’s geosciences and engineering division and will continue to be led by Managing Director Rory O’Connor.

Rory O’Connor adds, “We are delighted to join the RSK family. I met Alan some months ago and immediately recognised that we share the same values, culture and ethos, which are of the greatest importance in forging an enduring, productive and rewarding relationship. We see this as a huge opportunity to leverage our brand with the support of the RSK Group, giving us access to a wide range of services that we can offer our clients and thereby provide numerous “cross selling” opportunities. Simply, I’m very excited about the future, working together.”

PA Group and RoC Consulting are the latest acquisitions under RSK’s funding package from Ares Capital Europe and a revolving credit facility provided by NatWest announced in December 2018. The businesses are RSK’s second and third acquisitions of the 2020/2021 financial year, following the acquisition of Ground Heat, one of the UK’s largest providers of ground source heat pumps, in June.

RSK is investing in the development of new businesses and bolt-on complementary businesses, as well as equipment and facilities, to provide end-to-end solutions to a wide, international client base.