UTS Engineering acquires specialist manufacturer to boost output capability

UTS Engineering has acquired a specialist attachment manufacturer based in Buckinghamshire as it continues to expand in challenging economic conditions.

The Jarrow-based firm has bought Ulrich Ltd, which has a £5 million annual turnover, designs front-end attachments for wheeled loaders, tractors, excavators and telescopic handlers for customers including JCB, Volvo, Cat, Bell, CNH and Liebherr.

Established in 1998, Ulrich employs 15 staff and has a strong relationship with UTS’ parent company, LCR.

UTS was established in 2001 by managing director Shaun Sadler and employs more than 250 staff across its operations.

Shaun said: “Ulrich is highly respected in its sector for the quality and innovation of its products. It has an exceptional management team, headed by Jim Hopkinson, who founded the business in 1998.

“Amongst its customers are some of the world’s most iconic brands such as JCB and Volvo and it operates in a wide range of industries, including aggregates, recycling and forestry, as well as supplying organisations such as the Environment Agency, the Ministry of Defence and the US Army.

“We saw immediate synergies with the work we are already doing in the market through LCR Limited and when we realised there was an opportunity to purchase the business we moved very quickly.”

Jim Hopkinson, managing director of Ulrich Ltd, added: “We have a very good reputation in the market, and we have a strong order book. However, we remain very ambitious and to grow the business further we really need to step up our export activity, where we see great opportunities.

“We have developed a very good working relationship with UTS Engineering and felt that with its growing presence across the Middle East, it was perfectly placed to take the Ulrich brand to the next level.

“There are exciting times ahead as we look forward to being part of the group and to moving the business forward.”