Firm looks to expand overseas after key acquisition

Sheffield-based President Engineering Group is gearing up for further growth after buying Bretby Gammatech, which provides coal monitoring products.

PEGL, which has a turnover of £20m and 120 employees, completed the acquisition of the Derbyshire-based company after securing funding from the Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking team in Sheffield.

Established in 1994, Bretby Gammatech, which has four staff, supplies a range of probes and monitoring equipment which analyse the quality of coal and the amount of heat it is likely to produce.

Its products, which are used by mining organisations in more than 20 countries, detect and quantify the dirt or ash content of coal.

The acquisition of Bretby Gammatech, which has a turnover of £1m, boosts PEGL’s position in the global mining market.

PEGL already has a presence in the sector through its Conflow division, which manufactures and supplies dust suppression, fire suppression and water control systems used in the mining and quarrying industries.

Mark Henley, PEGL’s managing director, said: “We are delighted to complete the strategic acquisition of Bretby Gammatech.

“The company pioneered the development of coal monitoring technology almost 20 years ago, and now has an unrivalled reputation for the quality and reliability of its products.”

Adam Barraclough, the relationship director at Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking, said: “PEGL is a highly ambitious business and has performed strongly since the management buyout two years ago, backed by YFM Equity Partners. Its management team have a good track record in opening up new international markets and the acquisition of Bretby Gammatech bolsters their overseas capabilities.”

Due diligence on the transaction was carried out by David Forrest and John Longstaff of BHP Corporate Finance and legal advice was provided by Sheffield law firms Hill Dickinson and HLW Keeble Hawson.