Keltbray Group has announced the launch of a reinforced concrete frame business following the acquisition of Dunne Group assets.

The new division, named Keltbray Structures, will be headed up by previous Dunne Group owner Gordon Dunne.

Gordon Dunne will be supported in the day to day running of the company by Keltbray Structures by Keltbray Group’s managing director, John Price, who will be the new division’s chief executive officer, and chief operating officer, Andy McClafferty, formerly deputy managing director of Keltbray Demolition & Civil Engineering.

Keltbray Group agreed to buy Dunne’s plant and equipment and take on the majority of its staff from insolvency specialist FRP Advisory last week after the Bathgate reinforced concrete specialist entered administration with the loss of more than 500 jobs.

While Keltbray has not taken over Dunne Group as a going concern, or taken on any of its former contracts with clients, by acquiring some of the Dunne Group assets, Keltbray is strengthening its capability and services portfolio to provide demolition, groundworks, piling and concrete structures solutions as integrated or standalone services.

Brendan Kerr, chief executive of Keltbray Group, said: “Prior to going into administration Dunne Group was a leading company in its field and enjoyed a strong reputation as a reinforced concrete frame specialist contractor. We believe that Keltbray will benefit from tapping into their capability and this acquisition of some of their assets. Keltbray Structures has the potential to complement and expand our existing portfolio, which is already unrivalled in the UK, and help us to further develop our expertise and differentiation in line with market demands.

“With our financial resources behind it, I believe there is considerable scope for increasing the service offering and profitability of our business through this development, and give us a better geographical reach to other parts of the UK, including Scotland.”