Delta-Simons the leading multi-disciplinary environmental and health and safety consultancy division of the Lucion Group, has completed a key strategic acquisition in the East of England. 

Peterborough-based Ground Engineering Ltd, which specialises in the provision of site investigation services and geotechnical testing, strengthens Delta-Simons’ Geo-Environmental team, bringing additional site investigation expertise, capability and also enhancing its geographical footprint. 

The bolt-on deal, which brings a skilled team of 24 geotechnical engineers, geologists, laboratory technicians and drilling operators to Delta-Simons is the first acquisition since its own integration into fast-growing private equity-backed environmental services company Lucion Group in April 2021. 

Ground Engineering has a distinguished history in the sector, tracing its roots back to 1936 when it was founded as Pre-Piling Surveys Ltd, which later became Soils Engineering.  

Today, the company offers geotechnical and geo-environmental ground investigation and associated professional services to a wide range of civil engineering, construction, housing, environmental management and financial sectors. 

Working mostly in the East of England, London and the South East, the team’s activities are supported by its UKAS ISO 17025 accredited geotechnical and construction materials testing laboratory. 

Ground Engineering’s directors Chris Ebeling and Steve Fleming will remain with the business moving forward, supported by the Delta-Simons leadership team.   

Chris Ebeling said: “We decided it was the right time to join forces with a larger group of companies to ensure the future sustainability, growth and success of the business. Our team have built a strong reputation for providing high-quality, trusted geotechnical services to our clients.  

“When presented with the opportunity to join a progressive group of companies and specialising in similar services, we immediately recognised the synergies and saw it as a fantastic opportunity for our team.” 

Alex Ferguson, Managing Director of Delta-Simons, added: “As an ambitious, purpose-driven and client-focused company we are always looking to strengthen our team with the addition of high quality acquisitions. 

“We are therefore delighted to bring the Ground Engineering team into Delta-Simons and the wider Lucion Group. They are a great fit for our existing GeOps division, which continues to grow from strength to strength.  

“We’ve had a really busy start to 2022 as we continue to scale the group of businesses in line with our strategic growth plan and look forward to making further progress this year with strong organic growth delivered alongside further potential strategic acquisitions.” 

James Winterbottom, Senior Investment Director at Palatine, Lucion Group’s private equity investor since 2019 added: “Alongside strong organic growth across the business we have been pleased to support Lucion Group with a number of value-enhancing bolt-on acquisitions over recent months and we look forward to working with the team to further deliver their strategic growth ambitions in the second half of 2022.” 

The transaction was supported by business advisers BDO and HSBC.