BRUSH Group charges ahead with double deal

An energy engineering firm has expanded its capabilities and market reach through a double acquisition.

Loughborough-headquartered BRUSH Group has bought iDESo, the parent company of switchgear specialists Allenwest and Baldwin & Francis, from Longacre Group.

The deal significantly expands BRUSH’s switchgear offering and aftermarket service capacity, supporting its ambition to build a nationwide service platform across multiple industries.

Allenwest, based in Prestwick, in Ayrshire, and Sheffield-based Baldwin & Francis both bring decades of expertise in electrical equipment for demanding environments, along with established engineering and support services.

Bosses say their integration will enable BRUSH to deliver end-to-end power engineering solutions across sectors including energy, water, transport and manufacturing.

They add it will also enhance the group’s technical capabilities through access to certified products meeting ATEX and IECEx standards, opening doors to new regulated and high-growth markets.

Nicolas Pitrat, chief executive of BRUSH Group, said: “We are delighted to welcome the teams from Allenwest and Baldwin & Francis into the BRUSH family. 

“It is apt that in a year when we are celebrating 150 years of innovation that we welcome these highly respected, pioneering brands to our group.

“Along with engineering expertise, these acquisitions bring complementary market positions and expand our portfolio into new areas, enabling us to build a more diversified and resilient organisation that is focused on exceeding customer expectations.

“The additional expertise of our new colleagues means BRUSH is well-placed to deliver an enhanced aftermarket service offering across an even broader range of products and geographical locations, something we know is important to our customers, and to the energy security of the UK.”

Neil Shailer, chief executive of Baldwin & Francis and Allenwest, added: “BRUSH is a well-established player with a strong reputation across the sector, and we are incredibly excited to become part of this dynamic and future-focused business. 

“It’s a fresh chapter and one that we relish as we look to collaborating and innovating with our new colleagues. 

“I’d like to extend my thanks to Longacre Group for their support over the years in positioning our businesses ready for further growth.”

Stani Schmidt, chief executive of Longacre Group, added: “During our ownership, we built iDESo into a UK leader in mission-critical switchgear, bringing together Baldwin & Francis and Allenwest, sharpening the Group’s focus on premium specialised solutions for blue-chip customers, nearly doubling revenues over six years.

“We are proud of what the team has built and confident that BRUSH, with its scale and technical reputation, is the ideal partner to take that story forward.”

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