Clarke Willmott advises on acquisition

Wigan-based AIS has acquired logistics and engineering services provider Flegg Projects, which operates from two sites in Aylesbury.

Flegg Projects specialises in everything from specialist equipment moves to full factory relocations and system installations, serving a range of blue-chip clients across multiple sectors.

AIS and its subsidiaries operate from 15 sites across the UK and Europe, supporting industrial operators across key sectors including energy, aerospace, pharmaceutical and automotive. The business specialises in lifting, removing, relocating, installing and decommissioning industrial equipment and machinery, as well as providing CDM and project management services.

The Clarke Willmott team that worked on the deal was led by Manchester-based corporate partner Ed Foulkes. It also included Matthew Dootson and Chloe Santiago (corporate), Alex Walsh (commercial property), Chris Connors and Bassey Hogan-Itam (tax), Sarah MacLarty and Louise Rogers (employment) and Harvinder Kandola (banking and finance).

“This acquisition is the largest in AIS’s history and it strengthens the company’s market position and broadens its capabilities, especially by establishing a presence in medical equipment logistics” says Ed Foulkes. “It was a pleasure to work on this transaction, which involved colleagues from several of our teams in Manchester working seamlessly together.”

Matt Ainscough, chief executive of AIS Group, said “We’re delighted to welcome Flegg Projects to the AIS Group. Demand for its services is increasing year-on-year and the company has identified a robust pipeline of opportunities, including significant potential projects with multinational firms and global conglomerates. With this acquisition, alongside our existing companies, our machinery installation and removal capabilities are market leading in the UK and push us towards being one of the largest in Europe. We will continue to grow and will make further acquisitions where we can see true added value.”

Jayson Flegg, managing director and shareholder of Flegg Projects, said “Flegg Projects has grown significantly over the years, driven by our customer-focused approach and the expertise of our specialist engineering team. Our people and service are at the heart of everything we do, so it was essential to find a partner who truly understood our operations and shared our values.”