12th January 2009

To support its strategy to focus on its larger scale, profitable core businesses of '1st Fix' emergency response plumbing and drainage , HomeServe has transferred its '2nd Fix' drainage investigation and fulfilment operation to UKDN (UK Drainage Network). This part of the business handles the larger insurance claims for survey work, replacement and repair to external drainage systems. It also involves the management of repair costs and liaison with insurers and third parties.

UKDN – one of the UK's leading independent drainage specialists – will take responsibility for 70 new employees, including engineers and support staff, along with 30 vehicles, tools and stock. As part of a separate transaction, UKDN has also acquired one new Southern base, adding to its 10 existing nationwide locations.

Greg Beech, UKDN's chief executive officer, said: "We have very ambitious plans, which include doubling the size of our business and developing our offer for new markets. We aim to expand our network further, and this recent acquisition increases our national density and our market share – and confirms our position as the market leader in the drain investigation and repair sector. In addition, increasing our number of vehicles to 180 and employing more engineers and support staff, which brings our headcount up to 300, enables us to become more cost effective and efficient, and will improve our customer service levels."


HomeServe, who have 1,200 directly employed engineers in the UK, will continue to develop and invest in its trade network, including its '1st Fix' plumbing and drainage business, working for both insurers and its three million UK policyholders. Over recent months, HomeServe has developed this area with the acquisition of a number of plumbing and drainage contractors. It has also developed its ‘One Contact’ offering, building up trade networks to service its jobs on demand service.

Brian Whitty, chairman, HomeServe plc, said: "Transferring the drainage investigation business to UKDN will enable us to focus on building scale in the rest of our trade network. We believe that the transfer will offer our clients an improved solution – HomeServe providing a national '1st Fix' network and UKDN offering a larger scale '2nd Fix' operation."


UKDN and HomeServe will work together to ensure a smooth transition of services, and to progress a number of commercial opportunities which exist between the two companies.

About UK Drainage Network (UKDN)

UKDN's mission statement is to be the UK's leading provider of drainage solutions to homes and businesses. UKDN manages drainage and burst pipe claims and provides subsidence investigation services for most of the UK's largest insurers. A pioneer in leading industry standards, UKDN was the first drainage company to gain WRc (Water Research Centre) accreditation, which defines best practice compliance for the investigation and repair of domestic and light industrial drains and sewers. Further information can be obtained by calling 0845 456 2348 or visiting www.uk-dn.co.uk.

About HomeServe

HomeServe, www.HomeServe.com or 0800 293031, is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Every 40 seconds a HomeServe engineer comes to the rescue of a British household.

With over 4,600 directly employed and sub-contracted engineers, HomeServe is a national emergency home repair service backed by a 24 hour claims handling and repair network.

HomeServe offers insurance cover for plumbing, drains, electrical wiring and gas central heating. It has over three million policy members in the UK and a further 1.8 million in the USA, France and Spain.

HomeServe has recently introduced a new tradesmen service, providing households with access to tradesmen who can complete more than 22 trades and are qualified to carry out more than 500 different jobs around the home.