Denholm Industrial Services & Universal Coatings form new collaborative partnership to strengthen presence in defence and industrial sectors
Denholm Industrial Services Limited, part of the Denholm Group, has acquired 60 percent of Universal Coatings & Services Limited.
It has become co-owners of the North East-based business with Wilton Universal Group, forming a collaborative partnership that will strengthen Universal’s position in industrial sectors.
The new co-ownership formalises an ongoing two-year supply chain relationship between the two organisations and will enable customers to benefit from the enhanced size and scale of the combined operations.
Working in challenging environments, Denholm Industrial Services provides critical engineering support that enables the build and maintenance of power, infrastructure and naval and commercial marine assets. The business employs over 600 people at regional branches and project sites across the UK, providing engineered scaffolding, specialist platform, cradle and rope access, blasting, painting and industrial cleaning.
Universal Coatings operates one of the largest coatings facilities in the UK on the banks of the River Tees, in Tees Valley. It serves a range of industries including engineering, petrochemical, subsea, offshore renewables and nuclear power generation.
Employing 61 people, Universal Coatings has a 11,500 sq metre blast and coating facility, at Wilton Universal Group’s 112-acre base, as well as providing on-site surface and coatings services.
Bringing together the services of both businesses, Universal will provide a comprehensive offering integrating specialist coatings, blasting, scaffolding and rope access to customers responsible for naval defence, energy and industrial facilities.
Steve Hill, Managing Director of Denholm Industrial Services, said: “Following two years as supply chain partners, it is the natural next step for Denholm Industrial Services to become a co-owner of Universal Coatings. Formalising our relationship will enable stakeholders of both businesses to benefit from our enhanced size and scale, as well our shared ethos of service excellence, delivered through world-class skills and experience.
“Tees Valley has an exceptional reputation for its industrial capabilities, with forward-thinking companies, like Universal Coatings, building on the area’s heritage, which has evolved to support cutting edge sectors including marine defence, energy and industrial assets.”
Bill Scott OBE DL, chief executive of Wilton Universal Group, said: “As co-owners with Denholm Industrial Services, we will accelerate growth at Universal. This will enable us to invest in further training and career prospects for our loyal and highly talented team, who always maintains exceptional standards of workmanship on the prestigious projects we deliver.
“There are strong synergies between Universal and Denholm Industrial Services, both in terms of company ethos and capabilities. Integrating the companies’ services along with Universal’s facilities, services and highly experienced local workforce, is a unique and powerful combination that will benefit customers of both businesses.”
