In a UK FM deal, Europa Support Services has acquired United Utilities FM.
The agreement with United Utilities was announced on 22 February after negotiations and due diligence.
The acquisition means, the company says, that Europa will be delivering a range of FM services across the retail, property, public and corporate sectors. In the March 2008 issue of Professional Security Magazine, the MetroCentre shopping mall at Gateshead, featured, Europa has the security guarding contract.
To return to the acquisition, the firm says that there is a operational and cultural fit with little overlap between the two organisations. It is anticipated that, in the short term, there will be no redundancies as a result of the integration. Operating under the Europa Support Services brand, the former United Utilities FM team will continue to service its existing customers in the public and corporate markets.
Following the integration of the two companies, Europa’s turnover is forecasted to be £60m, with some 1,800 staff and customers as diverse as Hertfordshire County Council in the public sector and Capital Shopping Centres in retail.
What they say
Martin Jones, managing director of Europa said:
“This is a major strategic step forward for Europa. Following two years of significant organic growth this deal accelerates our expansion plans and allows us to better serve our current customers as well as win new blue chip clients. The United Utilities team share our people based culture and bring with them a set of new skills and great customers. It is great to have them on board.
“It is a very exciting time for everyone concerned and I am looking forward to an exciting 2008 when Europa will be operating as a company with almost 2,000 people providing a fully integrated FM service, with greater stability and an excellent portfolio of clients across the UK.”
