Lindner confirms acquisition of Prater

Lindner has confirmed its acquisition of UK cladding specialist Prater, in a move that significantly increases the German giant’s presence in the UK market.

All 300 of Prater’s staff and the Prater brand name will be unaffected by the acquisition.

Lindner first entered the facades market with its purchase of internationally renowned UK specialist Schmidlin (UK) in 2006, to form Lindner Schmidlin Facades.

This second acquisition increases Lindner’s UK market share in a specialist sector increasingly dominated by large global contractors.

Jürgen Wax, chief executive of Lindner Group UK, said: “Prater is a highly reputable and profitable entity with a trading history of 60 years, so we are really looking forward to sharing business with them.

“We expect significant synergy effects for both parties in sales, manufacture, design, engineering, product development, implementation and international expansion.”

Michael Prater, chairman of the Prater board, said: “The two family businesses are an excellent strategic and cultural fit.

“Lindner provides us with an excellent opportunity to expand our business activities to an international level.”

With an annual turnover of £65m, Prater is ranked first among the UK’s specialist external envelope contractors.

Prater operates out of seven outlets, including fabrication plants in Thurrock and East Sussex.

The firm has recently opened an office in India and is working on the development of the new Formula One track in New Delhi – its first major project there.

Disciplines include rainscreen and rendered façade systems, composite cladding, glazed curtain walling, single-ply membranes, structural waterproofing as well as aluminium and traditional metal standing seam roofing systems.

Prater has worked on many major projects including the London 2012 Olympic Stadium, Emirates Stadium, Heathrow Terminal Four and Westfield London.

£600m turnover Lindner has operations in more than 20 countries, and has recently completed major facades projects including 30 Crown Place, Greenwich Peninsula, Harlequin BSkyB and Heathrow Terminal 5.