Thursfields advises Worcester-based fire protection business Compco on sale to Irish group

The corporate team at Worcester law firm Thursfields has advised afire protection specialist Compco on its sale to an Irish group.

Wtech Fire Group (Writech) has acquired Compco, based in Worcester, for an undisclosed sum.

Gareth Burge, director and head of Thursfields’ corporate team and associate Joe Rollins advised the sellers of Compco on the deal, with Shoaib Hussain dealing with the commercial property aspects.

Gareth said: “Founded in 1988, and now employing over 200 people, Compco is the UK’s largest privately-owned fire engineering company.

“The business offers a wide range of services to all sectors and has grown from its Worcester head office to a further six offices across the UK.

“We were delighted to be asked to advise the sellers of such a successful local business on a sale which will lead the company into its next chapter.”

The purchaser, Writech, provides fire protection system design, manufacture, installation, commissioning and servicing to some of the largest blue-chip companies in the world.

Sectors serviced include data centres, life sciences, logistics, retail, office and food and beverage.

Writech is based in Mullingar, Country Westmeath, Eire, and has a UK base in Media City, Manchester.

Compco chief executive officer Matt Baker said: “Writech Fire Group is a great partner for our business, committed to long-term growth and development of the company, as well as our people.

“With a reputation for high standards, innovation and trust-based relationships with clients, their values and approach are highly complementary to our business and we look forward to working with them to delivering quality service standards to our clients.”

Ted Wright, chief executive officer of WTech Fire Group, said: “Compco is a great business supported by a team of excellent people. Its purchase realises the continued of our strategy to grow our UK business and strengthen our position as a leader in fire protection systems.

“We are very excited about the future prospects for the business and look forward to working with the team to build on our successes to date.”

Compco received corporate and tax advice from accountants Bishop Fleming and tax advice from Parisi Tax.

The advisers to the purchaser were Flynn O’Driscoll, supported by law firm Hill Dickinson on English law matters, with PwC providing tax and finance advice.