28th February 2007

UK Drainage Network (UKDN) has announced that it is to merge with its regional contract partner operations in a £7 million move that will see it become one of the largest independent drainage companies in the UK.

Established in 2003 to provide a national specialist drainage service for large clients and insurance customers, UKDN currently operates through a network of five autonomous contract partners across the country. From 28th February 2007, all businesses within the network; Multijet, Drainmasters, Pentagon Water, Drain Tech and Direct Drains, will be re-branded as UKDN and control will be formally handed over to UKDN’s head office in Birmingham. At the point of merger, UKDN will employ 280 staff, manage a fleet of 100 vehicles and manage ten locations nationwide.

Greg Beech, managing director of UK Drainage Network said: “We saw an opportunity in 2003 to set up a network of individual contract businesses that would operate in partnership to provide a truly national and fully integrated service for our customers. In doing so, we have been able to set new standards for service and value within our sector and we are seeing significant growth year on year.

“Consolidating these businesses under a centralised operation will allow us greater control of the network and provide us with an opportunity to build the brand in the UK and diversify into new sectors. It will also bring clarity to our insurance customers who will no longer have to deal with five individual company names, but will still benefit from the peace of mind that their policy holders are being looked after by an experienced and specialist drainage company.

“This is a positive move for UKDN and supports our ambition to grow the business to double its size over the next two years and further establish our position as the UK’s leading independent drainage specialist.”

UKDN delivers a comprehensive specialist drainage service, managing drainage and burst pipe claims and providing subsidence investigation services for most of the country’s largest insurers. It also services local domestic customers through locations in Glasgow, York, Manchester, Birmingham, Cardiff, Norwich, London, Bournemouth and Plymouth and a sub-contractor in Northern Ireland. A pioneer in leading industry standards, the company was the first to gain the WRc (Water Research Centre) accreditation which recognises best practice compliance for the investigation and repair of domestic and light industrial drains and sewers, a standard which was co-authored by UKDN.