Force One has been acquired by Readypower Group

Arrowpoint Advisory’s Industrials sector team has advised the shareholders of Force One Limited (“Force One”), a leading UK provider of specialist suction excavation services, on the sale of the business to Readypower Group.

Established in 2004 by Pat and Marnie Burke, Force One pioneered the introduction of safe-dig suction excavation services in the UK market.  From its headquarters in March, Cambridgeshire, the business serves a range of blue-chip clients across several regulated infrastructure end-markets, including rail, highways, airports and energy.  Force One’s fleet consists of a comprehensive range of road-based suction excavators and associated specialist equipment alongside several bespoke, Operated On-Track suction excavation machines.     

Readypower Group is the UK’s leading Specialist Rail Operated Asset & Infrastructure Services provider, operating from six major hubs and several satellite facilities across England, Scotland and Wales. Readypower Group is a wholly owned subsidiary of Angel Trains, one of the UK’s leading train Asset Management companies, and a significant investor in the country’s rail industry. 

Patrick Burke, Founder of Force One said: “The Arrowpoint Advisory team has been exemplary, providing invaluable support throughout this transaction. They took the time to guide us through the entire process and navigated the inevitable ups-and-downs with a level-headed attitude. They also proved to be astute negotiators and worked tirelessly to deliver an exceptional outcome for everyone involved. I really cannot recommend the team enough.”

Tom Smith, Director at Arrowpoint Advisory, added: “Pat and Marnie have built an exceptional business and we are delighted to have delivered this result for them and the wider team at Force One. The business is very well placed for further growth and there is a strong mutual belief that Readypower are the right party to help the management team deliver on that potential. The specialist hire sector is one that is primed for further growth alongside record infrastructure commitments in the UK and an area where we expect to see further M&A interest over the coming months and years.”

Harsha Wickremasinghe, Head of Business Intelligence at Arrowpoint Advisory, concluded: “Force One has an outstanding market reputation for not only delivering best-in-class service but also setting the standard for safety and reliability in the sector. In Readypower, we believe they have a partner who will not only support the business to become a truly nationwide player, but who also demonstrates a strong cultural fit, with a relentless focus on delivering both exceptional customer service and the highest levels of health & safety.  We wish Declan and Gary Burke every success as they lead the business into its next phase of growth.”

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