Cyclops sale means twice as many jobs

Staff will rise to 40 within six months

Cyclops, a Chadderton company employing 20 people, has been bought for an undisclosed sum by Haydock-based i3 Group.

The new owners plan to double the number of staff at the specialist sewer system CCTV and UV lining firm from 20 to 40 in the next six months.

The new owners believe that damaged sewer pipes will be repaired quickly and easily, bringing further benefit to the partnerships the group holds with water companies. The acquisition will see the i3 Group establish a new division, H2O Services.

The operational side of H2O Systems will remain at Cyclops’ base in Tweedale Way, Chadderton. i3 Group has developed partnerships with water companies in the UK and internationally, as its pioneering FS System of laying fibre optic cable in ready- made ducts, including the sewer system, requires the permission of the water companies.

Sewer pipes

The acquisition of Cyclops — owned by Andrew Bardsley and Paul Crofts — will complement these specialist partnerships by helping the water companies to better manage the maintenance and repair of their water and sewer pipes.

The i3 Group, now has the expertise to survey the sewer network, a requirement prior to laying the fibre cable and something which had been outsourced until the acquisition.

Cyclops was founded in 2003 by civil engineers Mr Bardsley and Mr Crofts, both from the Oldham area. Both will remain with the company.

The pair identified a gap in the market for a modern, cost-effective solution for the repair and maintenance of waste and clean water pipes.

Through their contracts with water companies, Cyclops developed a relationship with H2O Networks, which used their service in order to survey the sewers prior to fibre deployment.

Mr Bardsley, who will be taking on a technical developments role within H2O Services, is looking forward to the new challenges. He said: “Having co-founded and grown the company I am delighted to have secured such an exciting future for the team. Being part of i3 Group offers incredible opportunities for exploring new markets, undertaking further research and development and will enable us to compete on the world stage.”

i3 Group chief executive Elfed Thomas told Chronicle Business: “H2O Services will substantially reduce operational costs for the water companies. They are excited that we have the ability to deliver a fast and cost effective solution.”

John Bookless has been appointed as managing director of H2O Services. He has been with the i3 Group for the last 12 months as group strategy director.

He said: “I have been working with the water companies over the last year and the acquisition of these specialist skills and technologies will really benefit these organisations.”