In a strategic move which further strengthens its position in the UK water sector, Ham Baker Group has acquired leading scraper manufacturer A& J Water for an undisclosed fee.

A&J Water’s scraper expertise will expand the Group’s portfolio, which offers an increasingly wide range of solutions for the water and wastewater industry,

Andrew Williams, Group Managing Director, explained:

“A&J Water’s suction lift scrapers and powerless scrapers will complement and expand our existing range. From its base in Barnsley, the company also brings a specialist team of very skilled and experienced technicians to Ham Baker, who will join forces with our existing personnel”.

The acquisition raises the Ham Baker Group’s turnover by more than £4M, from £28M to £32M, with A&J Water becoming part of a burgeoning stable that already includes Ham Baker Adams, Industrial Valves, Industrial Penstocks, IVL Flow Control and Kempster Valves - with sizeable manufacturing bases firmly established in Stoke-on-Trent and Netherton in the Black Country.

UVDB Verify-accredited and with framework agreements in place for a number of key customers, A&J Water recently completed a turnkey contract for full-bridge suction-lift scrapers at Crossness STW as part of the London Tideway Improvement.  The company has also been working at the Bellazone STW in Jersey, where it successfully upgraded a centre-drive final settling tank (FST) scraper.

Part of a series of strategic acquisitions, this latest move by the Ham Baker Group is aimed at further accumulating the best skills, products and services to provide a one-stop-shop to clients in the water sector.