Lloyds British Testing secures major contract and acquires firm

The contract award will create 10 new jobs within LBT's expanding utilities division and will be managed by the company's national contracts team, which is based in the West Midlands.

James Bright, operations director at LBT said the business is "delighted" to have won the contract, having worked with National Grid in the past.

He said: "We have worked with National Grid in the past and are delighted to have the opportunity to renew our relationship with them.

"Although the contract has been awarded on a three year fixed term, there are options to extend the period. We fully extend to meet - and exceed - National Grid's expectations."

LBT, which has an annual turnover of more than £24m and employs 300 people across the UK has also completed the acquisition of Swindon Lifting Gear Limited as part of its ongoing expansion plans in the UK and overseas.

Swindon Lifting specialises in the supply, inspection, testing and hire of lifting equipment and currently employs a dedicated team that services key customers such as Honda and The National Trust.

As a result of the acquisition, the firm will create a new LBT team in the South of England that is headed up by Paul Storrar, including specialist project management and local engineers.

Ryan White, regional director for the South of the UK at LBT says the acquisition "reinforces Lloyds British's dominance in the UK equipment lifting equipment sector".

He adds: "The new location is of prime importance and will allow us to give our customers greater support, whilst enabling our expansion across the M4 Corridor, particularly into Bristol, Oxford, Swindon and Reading.

"Overall, the acquisition is part of a continued drive for expansion in the UK, and we are all excited to join forces with such a successful business with 25 years of fantastic customer relationships."