Calibrate Group Limited (Calibrate), a Northumberland-based provider of commercial heating and chilling systems, is targeting growth in the renewable energy sector following its acquisition by global sustainable solutions consultancy business, RSK Environment Limited (RSK).
Founded more than a decade ago by Susie and Shane McDonald, Calibrate is active in a wide range of high energy use sectors including agriculture, chemical processing, food & drink, tourism, manufacturing and education.
Its team of twenty people is focused on helping its customers reduce their energy usage, control costs, and contribute to a low-carbon economy. The business is multi-award winning and offers solutions ranging from Combined Heat & Power technologies and Solar PV, to ground and air-sourced Heat Pumps.
Calibrate has carved out a strong position in the agricultural industry with recent notable projects including West Ancroft Farm in the Scottish Borders, where a 6MW Heat Pump dries one of the largest tonnages of grain in the country. The company has also installed technology at Duncotes Farm in Shropshire, which chills the largest tonnage of potatoes in the UK.
As part of RSK, Calibrate will aim to increase its visibility in other markets while benefiting from being part of the group’s extensive global network of businesses.
RSK is made up of more than 175 environmental, engineering and technical services businesses, which work together to provide practical solutions to sustainability challenges.
With its head office in Cheshire, RSK has businesses across Europe, Africa, Asia, the United States, South America and the Middle East. It operates in most sectors of the economy, including many of those most critical to future global sustainability, such as water, energy, food and drink, infrastructure, urban development, mining and waste.
Advising the shareholders of Calibrate on the sale of the business was a team from Newcastle-based RG Corporate Finance (RGCF), led by Partner Nick Johnson and including CF Executives Sam Shield and Ben Kain, and CF Consultant Kerry Waugh.
Susie McDonald said: “We are thrilled to become part of RSK in order to realise our vision to grow and make a greater impact. Although we are a progressive business, we have always been a small business with big ideas to expand into new industries. This acquisition by RSK allows us to take those ideas and accomplish our strategy quicker and with greater effect and we welcome the support and impressive credentials of RSK to enable us to accomplish that. In return, we are able to offer RSK a unique set of knowledge and skills to add to their wide-reaching credentials.
“Nick and the team at RGCF have been instrumental in all aspects of the process, including finding the correct strategic partner, tailoring a deal and helping us through the due diligence process in a supportive and professional way. I would happily recommend Nick and the RGCF team as I can’t imagine embarking on the sales process without their wisdom, professionalism and support. It was incredibly reassuring to have them as part of our team.”
Nick Johnson, Partner at RGCF, said: “Calibrate is a real success story in the North East’s contribution to tackling climate change through the application of innovative technologies. Integrating its expertise into the RSK Group will offer positive growth opportunities for the business, enabling the Calibrate team to access the dynamic global RSK network for synergies and market reach. Shane and Susie were great to work with and we wish them and RSK all the best for the future.”
Tax advice to the shareholders was provided by RG’s Corporate Tax Partner, Simon Whiteside and Tax Director, Simon Hopwood.
Legal advice to the shareholders was provided by Sintons, with a team led by Corporate Partner Matt Collen and supported by newly promoted Associate Sophie Townes and Solicitor Daniel Earle.
Matt Collen said: “We were delighted to assist the shareholders and successfully complete the sale. It has been a pleasure working with Calibrate and RGCF and I am sure that the business will reach its full growth potential in partnership with RSK.”