Fri, 27 Sep 2024 | BUSINESS SALE
Private equity-backed Celnor has completed its latest acquisition with a deal for North West-based ecological survey provider Arbtech. The deal represents Celnor’s 18th acquisition since it was founded in 2023.
Arbtech, which was founded in 2005, is comprised of a team of more than 100 arboriculturists and ecologists. The company’s services include tree surveys, biodiversity surveys and bat surveys.
It operates with an office and home-based model, enabling it to provide coverage across the UK and deliver time and cost savings for clients by avoiding unnecessary on-site delays.
Recent work includes a preliminary bat survey carried out for planning permission in Stockport near the Mersey Vale Nature Park and a Preliminary Ecological Appraisal (PEA) including Roost Assessment (PRA) commissioned by Wirral Council for a project in Birkenhead town centre.
Celnor is backed by Inflexion Private Equity and has built a strong portfolio of complementary businesses since it was established last year. The group provides a wide range of inspection, testing, certification and compliance (TICC) services for commercial clients throughout the UK.
The Reading-based company is actively seeking acquisitions across the UK, Europe and North America, targeting firms with annual profits of between £250,000 and £10 million that provide testing, analysis, certification, or compliance related services.
The group’s scaled-up M&A activity comes at a time when environmental consultancies are highly sought after acquisition targets, with investors increasingly targeting business with strong ESG credentials and strong ongoing demand for consulting services.
Arbtech Chief Executive Robert Oates said that joining Celnor “accelerates our ability to invest in a considerable expansion of our service lines, proprietary technology, and creates an unparalleled opportunity for our people, as we look forward to this next phase in our journey."
Celnor founder and group Chief Executive said that Arbtech’s “impressive growth and entrepreneurial approach to business is a fantastic fit for the Group.”
He continued: “Arbtech has built an excellent reputation in the industry, not only for the great service they provide clients, but for their innovative approach to company culture too."
Arbtech was advised on the deal by Endeavour Partnership, led by Nik Tunley, and KPMG Corporate Finance, led by Rick Stark and Alex Cary.
Rick Stark commented: "Arbtech provides mission critical, timely environmental services which are unblocking challenges facing the UK housing market.”
"This includes a Biodioversity Net Gain proposition which has grown significantly on the back of the newly mandatory regulatory requirements. This deal is another example of the current demand for businesses which can demonstrate themselves as platforms in fragmented and emerging markets."
Find out how consulting is driving an increase in environmental and sustainability services - including an examination of Celnor's buy-and-build strategy
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