Infrastructure operator px Group has acquired UK-based materials handling specialist Fairport Engineering, as it continues plans for international growth.
The group said the acquisition, the value of which has not been disclosed, would see the addition of Fairport’s team in the north west of England and Fairport Tunnelling Technologies in Sunderland. Fairport’s 70-plus workers will now join px Group, it said.
The company operates industrial sites across the UK, including the St Fergus Gas Terminal in north east Scotland, but did not until now have any “in-house” materials handling capability.
It said the addition of the Fairport team would enable it to transport, import and export materials such as fuels and feedstock, as well as products, from industrial plants and large-scale sites, both nationally and internationally.
The deal also grants px Group an engineering base in the north west England, and a third base in north east England, where it already has a significant presence at its Teesside HQ and the Saltend Chemicals Park.
It said these locations and having “boots on the ground” in the north west was a key factor in the decision.
It marks the first acquisition for the company since it was itself acquired itself by Ara Partners in April 2021, and follows deals to take on Camm-Pro and NRG Well Management in 2019 and 2020 respectively.
Earlier this year, the company announced its first major operational work outside of the UK at the Risavika Liquefaction Plant, in Norway, also awarded by St Fergus owner North Sea Midstream Partners (NSMP).
CEO Geoff Holmes commented: “We are thrilled to be adding Fairport’s expertise to px Group’s offering – the company is full of brilliant people who are experts in their field. We would like to extend the warmest of welcomes to Neil Hyde, Neil Hargrave, and their teams.
“The Fairport teams are trusted experts. When we conducted our due diligence, clients and stakeholders could not have been more glowing about Fairport’s people and the way they work. That approach has been instilled by Fairport’s departing Chairman, Paul Fitton, and we are therefore delighted that Paul will still be available to support the business on a consultancy basis.”
Fairport managing director Neil Hyde added: “This is a major next step in the Fairport journey. We are in our 40th year this year and joining up with px Group, a world-class company delivering essential services to the UK energy industry, is a terrific way to celebrate that.”
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