Integral UK has announced ambitious plans to expand in the refrigeration sector following the acquisition of a major part of WR Refrigeration's business.
Following the deal with administrators PWC, Integral is now responsible for delivering nationwide contracts for several high street food retailers including Tesco, Morrison's, Waitrose and the Co-op Group - a contract recently awarded to Integral before the WR acquisition.

In addition, Integral has also acquired an award-winning refrigeration training centre in Birmingham and a cabinet supply and refurbishment operation.

The acquisition adds annual revenue of approximately £30m and gives Integral a foothold in the UK's 'premier league' of refrigeration contractors. It now has turnover of around £280m and is a multi-disciplinary property and building engineering services company.

Integral's entrance into the refrigeration sector is part of planned strategic growth into complementary technical disciplines. It will operate the newly acquired business alongside its recently won refrigeration maintenance contract with Co-op's South West and Wales and London, South East Regions.

In addition, the acquisition sees the transfer of more than 200 fully qualified refrigeration engineers to Integral's existing team of 1300 field technicians, which operate from 16 branches nationwide.

Bryan Glastonbury, managing director of Integral UK, said: 'We are delighted to have made this acquisition, which safeguards a substantial number of jobs and ensures continuity of service to customers.'

He continued: 'Refrigeration has been on our radar for some time as a key target area for growth. The synergies with our existing M&E maintenance services are obvious. Adding refrigeration enriches our offering to existing clients and expands the range of services we can deliver to new clients.'