EA-RS Group, a provider of intelligent, sustainable and compliant fire and security systems and services that is backed by the Richardson family businesses alongside Rockpool Investments, has completed the acquisition of Northern Ireland based Crane Communications, a specialist in Fire, Security, Audio Visual and Data Systems.
Crane Communications is the fourth company EA-RS Group has acquired in 2021, following the successful acquisitions of West Midlands based CCSS Fire & Security, AST London, and the trade and assets of Essex Fire Sprinklers. These acquisitions follow the investment made into the business by the Richardson family, who were advised by RCL Partners, and Rockpool earlier this year.
Based in Northern Ireland, Crane serves the United Kingdom in Fire, Security, Data and Audio-Visual systems. With expertise in design, supply, installation, and maintenance, as well as various integrated technology systems, Crane provides an array of services from CCTV, lighting, entertainment, access control, alarms, and AV, tailoring services for both commercial and domestic clients.
This acquisition enables the EA-RS Group to broaden its geographic reach, opening new opportunities in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. In addition, Crane will provide the Group with additional service offerings, such as Audio-Visual Systems, as well as facilitating access to London’s commercial security market.
The combination of Crane and EA-RS Group will assist in expanding both companies range of services to their respective client bases, facilitating further growth as well as enabling synergies between all businesses within the group.
Sean Hickey, Investment Director at RCL Partners, said;
“We are delighted to be able to support EA-RS and back the management team as they continue to identify exciting growth opportunities across the UK. EA-RS is an industry leader, operating in a growing sector with an impressive management team. EA-RS represents everything we look for when providing growth capital to UK businesses”
Alan Wheal, CEO of EA-RS Group said;
“EA-RS Group’s acquisition of Crane Communications will offer us access to the Northern Irish market, making way for further developments in the Republic of
Ireland, and the opportunity to build on our existing operations in London. This acquisition will accelerate our plans to provide a multi-disciplined offering across Fire, Security and Data, expanding our geographic reach and service offering.”
David McConkey, Managing Director of Crane said;
“I am incredibly excited to have Crane Communications become a member of the growing EA-RS family. We have been incredibly fortunate to find partners in EA-RS who share Crane’s core values, we know that these will provide real benefits to our staff and customers. The ability to offer our customers additional critical life safety systems from within the EA-RS Group, as well as the opportunity to offer our specialist systems to existing EA-RS Group customers, will help drive the next steps in our incredible journey.”