A CIVIL engineering firm has bought out the competition in Bristol as part of a multi-million pound deal.

Flynn Group Ltd’s groundworks arm, John O’Flynn Developments Ltd, based in on Apple Walk, Kembrey Park, has acquired its Bristol-based equivalent the Kenny Groups’ Bristlewand.

Flynn, set up in 1979, employs around 500 people and contractors to supply groundworks to UK housebuilders and developers, turning over £80million a year.

Alf Hambidge, managing director of the group, said: “Flynn has grown considerably in recent years, as customers utilise our company’s efficient, reliable and economic services, enabling them and ourselves to increase output.

“Kenny is a fine business and highly complementary, providing us with an enlarged platform to accelerate growth and expand our coverage.”

Bristlewand recorded an annual turn over of more than £15m in 2017 and despite a drop in overall revenue since 2018, continued to make profits of 21 per cent.

John Kenny said he was looking forward to retiring after setting up his business from scratch.

He said: “My wife Val and I have overseen Kenny from a fledgling business, to being a leading player in house-building in the south west, with an expert team that consistently provides efficient and reliable services, of which we are very proud.

“As we move into our retirement, we are pleased to pass on our strong traditions to the team at Flynn and wish them well in the continued development of Kenny, and say thanks to all our staff and contractors who have helped us grow into the successful business it currently is.”

The group hopes the acquisition of Kenny, which will trade in the future as Flynn Bristol, will accelerate its growth plans for the south west, both organically and through further acquisitions.

Flynn was advised by Transcend Corporate, a Birmingham and Reading based corporate finance house.

Transcend corporate director, Ian Curtis, added: “There are significant opportunities for further growth as recent structural change in the housebuilding sector provides the opportunity for accelerated expansion.”