16.12.2009

Harsco snaps up Bell Scaffold

Harsco, owner of SGB, Hünnebeck and Patent Scaffold has acquired Bell Scaffolding Group in Australia. The deal is expected to close in January – no details of the purchase price have been disclosed, the acquisition will be funded principally from cash flow.

Established in 1975 Bell operates from seven locations on the east coast including: Townsville, Gladstone, Brisbane, Yatala, Hunter Valley, Sydney and Melbourne.
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The company has a reputation for designing, supplying and erecting scaffolding for a wide range of applications including, high rise buildings, shopping centres, petro-chemical plants and power station shutdowns, as well as large civil engineering projects.

Bell employs around 300 people and recorded 2008 sales of nearly $40 million. The company will become part of the Harsco Infrastructure group’s Middle East, Africa and Asia-Pacific region operations.

Harsco chief executive Salvatore D. Fazzolari said: “Bell Scaffolding is the type of solid, geographically well-positioned company we have been seeking to further grow our market share within Australia and the Asia-Pacific region. Coupled with our recently announced joint venture with one of China’s largest construction groups and our growing presence in other parts of this region including India, Harsco is bringing together the essential ingredients for a strong and sustainable market presence in this active and important region.”

“We believe that Bell is a readily scalable business, armed with the full range of Harsco Infrastructure’s diverse rental equipment assets and services, we believe that Bell will be in position to secure additional new opportunities and become a solid catalyst to Harsco’s growth in Australia and the surrounding region.”