MBH Corporation plc (MBH), a diversified investment holding company, has acquired 3Ks Engineering (3Ks), one of the largest companies in the UK to offer the capabilities of large fabrication alongside heavy machining.

This is MBH’s first acquisition of 2021 and follows a ‘highly active’ 2020, which saw the group make 12 acquisitions to take its ‘portfolio’ to 22 companies. 3Ks is the 23rd company to join MBH.

3Ks, which has been a family business for over 50 years, is the latest example of MBH’s ‘agglomeration strategy’ of acquiring ‘stable and set businesses with solid leadership’. Established in 1969 in South Wales by Ronald Hanbury, 3Ks has been run for the past 20 years by sons Kevin and Karl Hanbury, who will remain in the business post acquisition.

The company was established to largely serve the oil and gas industries; and while the majority of its customer base remains in this sector, 3Ks also serves the sub-sea, offshore, onshore and rail sectors. For the year ending 31 January 2020, 3Ks generated revenues of £4 million.

Callum Laing, MBH’s CEO, said: “This is a fascinating new vertical for our Group and 3Ks represents the best of the engineering sector with talented leadership that inspires huge loyalty from their people. They deliver consistent quality in a highly complex field and we are delighted to welcome them and their team to the MBH Group.”