March Engineering Acquires Automated Control Solutions

March Engineering has completed the acquisition of Automated Control Solutions Holdings Limited and its subsidiaries Automated Control Solutions Limited and ACS Electrical Engineering Limited, together trading as ACS.

The deal will expand the Group’s digitalisation offering, growing its systems integration and OT automation capacity. All staff will be retained, including the leadership team, who will work closely with group CEO Christopher Kehoe and EJ Peak Technology Solutions executive director Michael Thomas to integrate the business.

The strategic acquisition further strengthens Edwin James’ process engineering capabilities and provides additional capacity to support customers’ sustainability, digital and energy transitions. As part of the company’s buy-and-build strategy, it positions the Group for further growth.

Established in 1998, Burton-based ACS is a control systems integration services provider that delivers services across two divisions: Systems Integration and Electrical Engineering. The business specialises in software and electrical-based control solutions for the manufacturing sector and focuses on working with large corporate customers in the food and beverage, brewing and liquid processing industries.

Commenting on the deal, Christopher Kehoe, CEO at Edwin James Group, said: “ACS is a business we have known and admired for some time, and we believe their blend of skills, knowledge and specialist experience is a perfect complementary fit for our business.  With shared customers and a highly skilled team, ACS will enhance our existing industrial digital skillset. Following our successful funding round with Aliter Capital in February last year, we have been executing our buy-and-build growth strategy. ACS is a testament to our commitment to strategic expansion.”

Mr Kehoe continued: “ACS is a well-run business and I’m looking forward to working with Paul and the team to integrate ACS into the Group.”

Paul Cantrill, managing director at ACS said: “It’s really exciting to be joining the Edwin James Group. Our two businesses share a number of customers and the same values including a commitment to high-quality service.

“Edwin James is going from strength to strength and being part of a national organisation will provide structure and greater scope for growth for ACS and its employees.”

Edwin James Group recently announced a robust financial performance for the year ending February 2023. The Group reported a turnover of £175m, up 22%, with the order book expanding from £545m in 2022 to £800m in February 2023.

Pictured left to right:  Edwin Simpkin (ACS), Wayne Letts (ACS), Paul Cantrill (ACS), Christopher Kehoe (Edwin James Group CEO), Niall Watson (ACS), Michael Thomas (EJ Peak Technology Solutions, Exec Director)