E.ON, the gas and power giant, has bought Midlands heating services firm CHN Group in a 'multi-million pound' deal.
The CHN Group, headquartered in Lower Gornal, supplies heating services to major blue chip builders, local authorities and housing associations.

The deal, announced on January 17, is a key part of the E.ON's strategy to expand its home installation service, with the aim of having a nation-wide network of field staff delivering central heating products to housing associations and local authorities.

Don Leiper, managing director of Energy Services, said: 'This is a great deal for us as we look to expand our business and to acquire a rapidly growing company with talented and experienced employees.

'We'll be able to utilise CHN's expertise to roll out the installation of the low carbon solutions, such as solar panels, thermal and ground source heat pumps, we're developing as E.ON changes the way we look at energy in the UK.'

CHN's services include heating, plumbing, gas service and maintenance, industry training and electrical services. The firm operates from six offices across the West Midlands and employs 430 people.

'We're obviously aware that staff at CHN might be apprehensive about today's announcement but I can assure them that we recognise their expertise and experience and that's one of the reasons why we bought the group,' added Leiper.

For more details about the CHN Group go to www.chngroup.co.uk