Falck acquires Sembcorp's Asset Protection and Emergency Response business on Teesside

SEMBCORP Utilities (UK) has sold one of its businesses on Teesside to the Falck Group.

Falck has bought the company’s Asset Protection and Emergency Response business, with 109 staff transferring to the new owner under the deal - which was announced today.

Sembcorp announced in October 2013 that the business, with major industrial customers at the Wilton International, Billingham and North Tees sites, was to be transferred to a new owner as part of a restructuring of the company’s operations on Teesside.

The business provides industrial fire-fighting and spill protection services for customers.

The sale of the Asset Protection and Emergency Response business generated “significant interest from a number of high-quality, credible parties” according to Sembcorp, which manages the Wilton site.

Falck is a leading international provider of industrial fire and rescue services for high-risk industries and airports globally. It also provides healthcare, ambulance and assistance services and has strong customer relationships with a wide range of international companies across the world.

Poul Mortensen, executive vice president Emergency Europe of Falck, said: “We are delighted to announce the acquisition of Sembcorp’s Asset Protection and Emergency Response business on Teesside.

“We are actively seeking to develop our Industrial Fire Services business in the UK and this acquisition is central to our strategy and is a great platform for growth and job creation.”

Doug Annan, senior vice president and site director of Sembcorp Utilities (UK), added: “Industrial fire fighting and emergency response is a core business for Falck and this is an excellent outcome for both parties, our existing industrial customers on Teesside and the employees of the Asset Protection business.”

Staff transferring to Falck will have their terms and conditions of employment protected under TUPE - Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006.

Sembcorp Utilities (UK), which also owns most of the Wilton site, will now focus on growing its remaining business on Teesside, including both green and conventional energy and on-site logistics operations, with a total of around 180 employees.