Facilities management company Aqumen is set to announce the acquisition of a large mechanical & electrical services provider – one with wide geographic capability and a retail focus. Talking to i-FM at World Workplace (Aqumen is one of four major sponsors), MD Jack McGrory said that the company had been re-positioned and re-focused over the last two years: "We've invested heavily in the infrastructure and resources, particularly the right people. We now have a good balance of management and technical competencies and I believe a capability as good as anyone in the market."

According to McGrory, many clients are on their third round of outsourcing and want something different. "We can re-engineer the FM function for those who don't necessarily want a corporate PFI solution, have been through TFM and are looking for the next model."

Aqumen's parent company Mowlem expects to realise between £150m and £180m from the recent sale of the SGB hire business. Group Chief Executive John Gains has said that much of this will be re-invested in the two services businesses Aqumen and environmental services company ESGL.

Richard Byatt