A Devizes-based grounds maintenance company which was established during the Second World War to look after runways at local airfields on behalf of the Royal Air Force, has been sold to a large global player.

JV Strong and Co Limited, based at Hopton Industrial Estate, London Road, has been sold to the landscaping division of international facilities services business ISS UK Limited. The deal, which involved 10 shareholders and 260 staff, was handled by Monahans Chartered Accountants and Withy King Solicitors.

Alex Pyatt, an associate at Withy King Solicitors, said: “A close working relationship with JV Strong combined with our expertise in the sale of companies enabled the transaction to proceed in a structured and swift manner to a successful conclusion.  The need to ensure that all 10 of the sellers had the opportunity of being properly advised also presented particular challenges which do not usually arise in the sale of owner-managed businesses.”

Barrie Giffard-Taylor, a partner at Monahans, added: "We have been JV Strong's accountants for a considerable period of time and have amassed considerable knowledge of their business which helped to make the entire sale process as simple as possible. JV Strong is a great company and we are confident that, under its new ownership, it has a rosy future." 

Since its formation by a local farmer in 1942, JV Strong has grown to an annual turnover of just under £9m, providing grounds maintenance and landscaping services to the Ministry of Defence, local authorities and businesses across the South of England.

Mike Pitt, who joined JV Strong as a Contracts Manager in 1983 before being appointed managing director in 1986, will continue to oversee the running of the business for a transitional six-month period before he retires. Fellow director and shareholder, Keith Hawkins, will continue to work for the new company.

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