Mitie Group has acquired Rock Power Connections Limited in a deal worth up to £14.5m.

Rock specialises in installing the substations and cables which ultimately take the electricity from the power stations to the buildings where it is needed.

The company also has a growing EV charging installation division for non-residential blue-chip customers which will boost Mitie’s expansion plans in the market.

The deal comprises an initial payment of £10m, with two deferred payments worth up to £4.5m by 2023 linked to performance targets.  

For the year ended 31 December 2020, Rock reported revenue of £7.4m and an operating profit of £0.4m. Performance so far this year has been well ahead of 2020, with significant growth expected to continue into the future based on current order books and access to Mitie’s clients.

Rock co-founders Matt Crampton and Kev Sankar will both join Mitie to drive the business forward.

Phil Bentley, Chief Executive Officer, Mitie, said: “Decarbonising our energy system is an absolute imperative for the UK.  As we expand the support Mitie Energy gives our clients, the acquisition of Rock will allow Mitie to capture a greater share of the fast growing High Voltage electric vehicle charging market, and is in line with our strategy of investing in high growth, high return businesses within the energy space

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McAleer & Rushe has demanded a full investigation into a major brawl that erupted on one of its London jobs between members of a concrete gang working for specialist JB Structures.

Site staff filmed the rolling brawl which suddenly broke out last week between the gang working on the deck on a concrete frame being erected at a residential project in the Capital.

According to a source, issues had been simmering after a previous incident several weeks before.”

The source said: “It’s an ongoing issue with some lads working for JB Structures and it all kicked off this morning.

Main contractor McAleer & Rushe said that some of the men involved had been summarily dismissed and its specialist concrete firm had been instructed to investigate the incident.

A spokesman for McAleer & Rushe said: “We are aware of an altercation between two subcontractor operatives on one of our sites.

“Our site management personnel were in the immediate vicinity at the time and brought the incident to a swift close.

“McAleer & Rushe do not condone such acts of behaviour on any of our sites and following investigation and subsequent disciplinary procedures, both men were summarily dismissed from site.

“Their employer has been contacted and we have requested a full investigation is conducted.”

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The managing director of a scaffolding company has been been given a suspended prison sentence after an employee died when he was struck from behind by a forklift truck.

Leicester Magistrate’s Court heard how on 20 June 2016, Shaun Flynn had just finished loading a lorry in the yard of Boss Scaffolding (Northampton) Limited when he was struck from behind by the raised forks of a moving forklift truck. He subsequently died from his injuries.

An HSE investigation found that Boss Scaffolding director Leon Gill and an employee of the company failed to take reasonable care for the health and safety of others who might be affected by the poor management of risks arising from the use of a counterbalance forklift truck in a state of disrepair.

Company director Gill of Northampton pleaded guilty to safety breaches and was sentenced to 10 weeks imprisonment suspended for eighteen months and ordered to pay a £7,000 fine and £45,000 costs.

Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Jenna McDade said: “This case highlights the importance of regular pro-active maintenance and inspection of work equipment, to ensure equipment does not deteriorate to the extent that it puts people at risk. Sadly the tragic death of Mr Flynn could have been prevented.

“Companies and individuals should be aware that HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against those that fall below the required standards.”

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