A facilities management firm has bought Thorpete Associates, the Leicestershire-based gas servicing company which went into administration last month.
The purchase of Thorpete Associates by the Kinetics Group, saves 22 jobs at the Coalville-based business.


Thorpete was launched in 1997 to provide jobs for mature gas engineers made redundant by British Gas. It has maintained a commitment to creating jobs for people who have experienced disadvantage in the labour market, providing jobs for more than 70 people and supporting training opportunities for more than 60 people in the last 12 years. Profits have been reinvested in community regeneration. Its services include gas safety inspections, testing, gas boiler and appliance servicing and installations.

Thorpete Associates was previously part of the TREES social enterprise group.

'Sealing the deal with Kinetics is fantastic news for all concerned, particularly loyal and hard-working Thorpete employees who have faced uncertainty in recent weeks', said John Montague, chief executive of the TREES group.

Kinetics, based in Sutton Coldfield, provides property services to more than 400,000 homes in the social housing sector. This includes repairs, maintenance, asset management, major works and facilities service. It is a £110m turnover company employing more than 1,200 people.

Chris Cheshire, chief executive of Kinetics said: 'Our acquisition of Thorpete which is an important landmark in our growth strategy and consolidates our position as a key player in central England. 'We will retain the Thorpete brand, there will be no redundancies, and we will continue to use local people to deliver a high quality local service', he added.