A Preston firm dating back to the 1940s has been bought.
The Ashton-on-Ribble building services firm has been acquired by Tendra Technical Services.
Based in Hesketh Street the company also has offices in Liverpool and was founded in 1941.
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It works mainly in the defence, healthcare and education sectors undertaking mechanical work, plumbing, drainage and more and had an annual turnover in 2024 of £47million.
Managing director of the James Mercer Group, Andrew Moxham, who has been with the firm since 2006 said: “After more than eight decades of building The James Mercer Group into a trusted name in building services engineering, finding the right partner for the next chapter was critical.
“Tendra shares our values and commitment to quality, and with Triton’s backing, the group has the resources and vision to take the business to the next level. We are proud of what we have achieved and confident that James Mercer will thrive as part of Tendra.”
The Preston firm has always traded on its founding name of James (Jim) Mercer and began in the Canal Bridge Works – with crews carrying equipment by hand cart or on public transport. The firm located to the Hesketh Street based Tulketh Hall Works in 1957.
Since then the firm, with the Moxham family being on its board, has grown to employ nearly 200 people.
The creation of Tendra Technical Services sees James Mercer join with Fletchers Engineering based in Eccles, Greater Manchester and with Coat Facilities Group in the West Midlands.
Funding for the deal has come from the Trith Smaller Mid-Cap fund II which helps with acquisitions of smaller to medium firms and the creation of new platforms like Tendra.
Group chief exec of Tendra, Greg Davies, said: “The James Mercer Group is a well-positioned regional champion with a long-standing reputation for quality and technical expertise. We look forward to collaborating closely with The James Mercers Group team as we work towards building a national leader in UK built environment technical services.
“Triton is the perfect partner for Tendra as we embark on building a strong and integrated platform. Triton’s experience with family-owned companies and its sector knowledge will be invaluable as we accelerate growth together. We look forward to collaborating with Triton in the years ahead.”
Advice for James Mercer on the sale came from MHA, based in Winckley Square.
Corporate finance manager at the accountancy firm Robbie Taberner said: “This transaction brings together companies with aligned expertise and skills to benefit from the external investment which will fuel a new phase of growth.
“Through the knowledge and experience of our teams, we have provided a range of advice to two of the three companies which have become part of Tendra across corporate finance and tax, ensuring all businesses were aligned with the buyer throughout the acquisition process.
“We’re looking forward to seeing both Fletchers and James Mercer flourish as part of the new Tendra Technical Services Group.”
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