Acquisitions in Kent, United Kingdom

BB7, a UK and Ireland fire and façade consultancy, has joined CERTANIA, an international Testing, Inspection & Certification (TIC) and compliance services group. The partnership supports CERTANIA’s expansion into the UK and Ireland Buildings & Infrastructure market, with BB7 forming a joint business alongside Clarke Banks and Xact within CERTANIA’s Buildings & Infrastructure Division.

Getlink announced the acquisition of ChannelPorts Ltd, a British customs intermediary based in Folkestone, Kent. ChannelPorts provides post-Brexit customs clearance services supported by its CustomsPro digital platform, and also owns the Stop24 secure truck park facility. Getlink plans to integrate ChannelPorts’ import/export/transit services into its Sherpass digital platform to simplify cross-Channel trade for transport and logistics customers.

Key Capital Partners completed a £9.1m investment in SJA Group, an integrated property services provider. The transaction involves Key acquiring a significant minority stake in SJA, with the existing management team remaining in place.

ASSA ABLOY has acquired Sunray Engineering Group Ltd, a UK designer and manufacturer of high specification steel and timber security doors, fire doors, and louvre systems. Sunray Engineering, founded in 1980 and headquartered in Kent, South East England, generated approximately £12 million in 2022 sales, and the deal is expected to be accretive to ASSA ABLOY’s EPS from the start.

An affiliate of H.I.G. Capital acquired Synecore Limited and Meesons Futures Limited in the United Kingdom. The two businesses will combine with H.I.G.’s existing portfolio companies CPS and Classic Lifts to form Andwis Group, a technical building services platform spanning M&E services, lifts, and physical security/entrance control solutions. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Lumanity acquired Innovative Edge (IE), a United Kingdom-based provider of pharmaceutical product launch services. The deal expands Lumanity’s end-to-end commercialization and launch implementation capabilities for biopharma clients; transaction terms were not disclosed.

Arrow International, via its UK subsidiary Cowells-Arrow Bingo Company (Cowells Arrow), acquired the assets of Automatic Machine Services Limited (AMS), a distributor of gaming and leisure equipment in South East England. The deal expands Arrow’s presence into the UK gaming machine market and broadens product and service offerings for both companies’ customers. AMS was acquired from Jason Jarrett, who will remain with the business and join Cowells Arrow.

Orbital Internet Group Limited ("Orbital"), an independent internet service provider focused on Kent and the UK holiday park sector, has secured a multi-million pound investment from Mobeus. The funding will accelerate Orbital’s rollout of ultrafast fibre broadband (particularly in rural Kent), support expansion into UK holiday parks, and further develop its bespoke B2B technology service offerings.

Elaghmore acquired Blaze Signs Holdings Ltd ("Blaze"), a UK signage design, manufacturing, installation and maintenance business, from private equity firm Mobeus. Blaze and its subsidiaries Blaze Signs Ltd and Cygnia Maintenance Ltd will join Elaghmore’s Hexcite Group alongside Kesslers and Gardners, expanding the group’s signage and display capabilities.

MJ Wilson Group Limited (MJ Wilson), backed by Cairngorm Capital Partners LLP (Cairngorm Capital), has acquired Support Instrumentation Limited (SIL). The deal is intended to accelerate MJ Wilson’s growth strategy and strengthen its position in the process and instrumentation market, particularly expanding its presence in South East England. SIL founder and managing director Steve Hopkins will remain with the business following the acquisition.