Start-up firm bought by Arco

The family-owned Hull business paid an undisclosed sum for two-year-old ARC Associates UK, which has grown from an incubation unit to provide health, safety and environmental training and consultancy to some of the region's biggest businesses.

Customers include BAE Systems, Howdens Joinery, Canary Wharf Contractors, Veolia and Hull City Council.

Arco said the additional offering of ARC Associates' portfolio of training and consultancy services will strengthen its position in the safety market and allow it to offer training products, support services and software for managing health and safety requirements.

Thomas Martin, joint managing director at Arco, said: "Arco was first established in Hull 125 years ago and we pride ourselves on our commitment to providing expert advice on all aspects of workplace health and safety.

"The new products and services we can offer through ARC Associates will strengthen this position and we look forward to working with the team at ARC to make sure we continue to help our customers stay safe at work."

Richard Greaves, a director at ARC Associates, said: "Arco is widely recognised in the region and in the safety industry and we are delighted that ARC Associates UK is able to realise the full potential of the company.

"We are looking forward to adding our expertise to an experienced and ambitious organisation committed to improving the health and safety management of all businesses."

Professor Mike Jackson, Dean of Hull University Business School, said: "We look forward to maintaining our good working relationship with them in the future."