Expanding industrial services group Pyeroy has acquired the Cork-based electrical instrumentation and data communications engineering contractors, CEI, for an undisclosed sum.

The move will see Pyeroy integrate CEI’s expertise and team of skilled industrial contractors into its own operations, enabling Pyeroy to provide electrical services to customers throughout Ireland and the UK.

CEI was established in 1988 and has grown to become one of Ireland’s leading electrical engineering and communications companies with a current turnover of £3 million. The company has worked for GlaxoSmithKline for over 20 years.

The company works across industrial and commercial sectors with customers also including Pfizer and Pepsi, providing electrical and instrumentation construction and commissioning services.

CEI’s managing director, Derek Byrne, has been appointed as board director of Pyeroy and will be responsible for all its operations in Ireland. Pyeroy’s managing director Hugh Pelham said: “This is a key strategic acquisition for us in an important geographical market.

“CEI is a well established business and the new arrangements will enhance the range of services available from Pyeroy in the Ireland and the UK industrial services market.”

Derek Byrne, CEI’s managing director, who has over 20 years experience in the industrial environment, said: “We’re delighted with the acquisition as it provides us with the ability to supply a range of alternative solutions to customers in difficult economic times.”

Pyeroy has also acquired the scaffolding assets along with several running contracts from failed Stockton-on-Tees firm, Spectrum Access Ltd. The move will enable Pyeroy, who bought the assets from the receivers Tait Walker to boost its access and scaffolding capacity while also taking on and supporting the contracts for Spectrum’s clients at short notice.

This acquisition will be used to add support to several private and public sector contracts being undertaken in the North East and across the UK, including the refitting of Royal Navy vessels and the construction of new ones like the next generation of aircraft carriers currently being built at yards around the UK.