Environment minister “welcomes” Lanes Group investment in Irish drainage business

Ireland’s Environment Minister Alan Kelly has welcomed Lanes Group’s investment in its newly-acquired Irish business, which is already creating new jobs.

He was speaking as he visited the operational base of newly-formed Lanes Group Ireland Ltd, in Thurles, County Tipperary to meeting board directors and hear about plans to grow the business.

Lanes Group plc, the UK’s largest independent specialist drainage and asset maintenance solutions provider, acquired the Arlo Group, in December.

Its two businesses, AQS Environmental Solutions, a specialist drainage service provider, and Acorn Recycling, a sludge-to-compost recycling company, have retained their brand names.

Lanes Group has already committed an initial €3 million to modernise and expand AQS Environmental Solutions’ fleet of drainage vehicles, a process which is already creating new jobs.

Mr Kelly is Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, and is Teachta Dála (TD) for Tipperary North and Deputy Leader of the Labour Party in Eire.

During his visit he met a number of Lanes Group board directors, including Managing Director Wayne Earnshaw, Finance Director David Nutton, Business Development Director Richard Leigh, and Director of Business Scotland Kevin Moon.

Wayne Earnshaw said: “We were very pleased to be able to tell Minister Kelly about our strategy to grow AQS Environmental Solutions. He said he welcomed our investment and could see how it could generate much-needed extra jobs across Ireland.”

Benny McCarthy, Managing Director of newly-formed Lanes Group Ireland Ltd, said: “Lanes Group is giving us strong financial backing but, just as importantly, we can draw on their expertise and experience.

“Our objective is to follow their example and create the most modern, innovative and dynamic drainage and water utility service in Ireland.”

AQS Environmental Solutions aims to be well-placed to bid for wastewater network service work with Irish Water, the newly formed national water utilities company, which is looking to modernise its asset maintenance services.

Mr McCarthy added: “With Lanes Group’s track record, working with UK companies like Thames Water, Severn Trent, Scottish Water, and Anglian Water, we hope to do well when tendering for similar work in Ireland.

“Where a commercial case can be made, we will also be in the market to grow by acquisition. Each opportunity must be judged on its merits, in terms of fitting a robust business strategy that delivers real value for customers.”