Balfour Beatty’s £45m purchase of southern contractor Dean & Dyball last month has left everyone wondering ‘who’s next?’ The acquisition is the latest in a string of deals in which national players have bought strong regional players.

The major contractors, who in recent years have directed resources towards big projects, are now looking to expand their presence at the regional contract level.

Balfour’s move follows hot on the heels of Bouygue’s purchase of Warings and Norwest Holst’s acquisition of Stradform in December.

‘The acquisition of Dean & Dyball is the latest stage in our strategy of building leading positions in regional UK civil engineering and building markets following the successful acquisition and integration of Mansell, Birse and Cowlin,’ said Balfour Beatty chief executive Ian Tyler in a statement. ‘This transaction establishes a strong civil engineering base in an area where we currently have only a limited presence and adds further capability in the building sector.’

Chief executive Adrian Dyball is to leave the group, which was set up by his father Peter with John Dean in 1969. Managing director Chris Howarth and the rest of the board are reported to be staying.

Dean & Dyball is based in Ringwood, Hampshire, with regional offices in Exeter, Bristol, Maidstone, Coleshill and Swansea and a rail business in Stevenage. It has 700 staff and 500 directly employed operatives and to the year September 2007 made £4.5m profit before tax on £262m turnover.

Who's brought who

  • Mar 08 Balfour Beatty buys Dean & Dyball for £45m
  • Dec 07 Bouygues buys Warings for £30m
  • Dec 07 Norwest Holst (Vinci) buys Stradform for £7m
  • Nov 07 ISB buys Pearce for £13m
  • Aug 07 Balfour Beatty buys Cowlin for £52m

Source

Construction Manager