Bristol-based engineering design, energy and sustainability consultancy Hydrock has racked up its fifth acquisition in less than a year-and-a-half with the takeover of a nuclear safety assessment business.
3T Safety Consultants, which was founded in 2008 and is based in the heart of the North West’s nuclear sector community at Warrington, works with clients such as Sellafield, Canadian Nuclear Laboratories, AWE and Nuclear Waste Services.
Hydrock, which employs more than 900 people in it nine offices across the UK, said 3T made a significant addition to its nuclear management consultancy business, which is focused on safety, environmental and radioactive waste management in the nuclear sector.
3T has a 28-strong team working both in the UK and internationally with a well-established track record of delivering nuclear safety assessment expertise.
While Hydrock and 3T offer complementary and established consultancy services that include safety and risk management analysis, safety case management and production, as well as independent peer reviews and the provision of expert advice, 3T also adds experience in criticality safety assessments to Hydrock’s existing business.
Hydrock divisional director for nuclear management consultancy Peter Sibley called the deal an exciting development for both businesses.
“It allows us to grow our nuclear consultancy team, join forces with hugely respected practitioners in the sector, add a further international element to our business, and increase our capabilities in the wider energy transition market,” he said.
“Our nuclear safety management service offering is broadly similar, but our client base at Hydrock also includes other key players in the sector including Hinkley Point C, Sizewell C and the small modular reactor sub-sector.”
3T director Ben Belcher added: “We’re delighted to join Hydrock. It’s a substantial and natural next step in the growth of our business and offers our staff an opportunity to broaden and develop their careers further in a larger organisation.
“Cultural fit was a really important factor in making this decision. It’s been clear to us that Hydrock looks after its people and encourages them to grow, express themselves and be client focused.”
The 3T acquisition further strengthens Hydrock’s position in the wider engineering, energy and sustainability consulting market in the North West, with a team of around 100 already based in the region.
The business will become a wholly owned subsidiary of Hydrock trading under the name of Hydrock 3T as a separate operating division.
So far this year Hydrock has acquired niche transport planning and infrastructure consultancy Fore Consulting and sensor technology specialist SPLtrack, which SPLtrack works with clients such as Silverstone, the home of the British Grand Prix, and MSV, the owner of Brands Hatch and Donington Park motor racing circuits.
Last year it bought Newcastle and Wakefield-based civil engineering, geo-environmental and structural engineering consultancy 3E and Worcestershire-based structural and civil engineering practice CDP.
