A SWINDON groundworks and civil engineering business will remain in the town after being bought by a Midlands counterpart.

Flynn is said to employ around 500 staff at Kembrey Business Park and has been based in Swindon since 1975.

Its new owners are M&J Evans of Walsall, which turns over £200m a year and has a reputation as one of the largest construction specialists in the marketplace. 
Alf Hambridge will stay on as the Flynn's managing director.

M&J Evans CEO Chris Southgate said: “The two organisations had been talking to each other for a long period, both businesses are owned by investors and it became known to us that the investors in Flynn might be interested in a sale.”

Mr Southgate explained why his company chose to invest in Flynn.

He said:“A number of things, they have a good reputation in the market, they are in a geography that suited our expansion plans and particularly with Alf, they had a management team that had a lot of experience in the industry.

“We felt it would it would continue to run Flynn in a good way and contribute to the development to the whole of the M&J Evans group.

“We’re investing in Flynn because of the geography, we see it as providing opportunity for growth.

“We recognise that Swindon and the surrounding areas are valuable for growth opportunities.”

Mr Hambridge said the deal would see his firm become more environmentally friendly.

He said: “Flynn Ltd are looking forward to becoming a part of the M&J Evans group and as part of the group’s overall growth plans, will be offering an environmental and social governance strategy. 

“We will be investing in carbon credits to off-set our unavoidable carbon emissions and make us a carbon neutral business. 

“Coupled to this, we will maintain focus on reducing emissions as well as ensuring we are contributing socially within all areas we operate in. 

“We will also enjoy the strengths of being part of a larger organisation, which will enable us to maintain our growth strategy.”

A spokesperson for M&J Evans said: “M&J Evans who have offices in Walsall, Banbury, Warrington and Yorkshire are delighted with the acquisition and consider it be strategic in the continuing growth of the group as a whole.

“The acquisition will also provide a stronger delivery over a much greater operating area, which will now include the south west of England, while continuing to give an efficient, reliable, and economic service to all existing and prospective clients, as well as offering security and great opportunity to its staff and workforce.”