Environmental consultancy group APEM Group has announced its second acquisition following the purchase of Woodrow last July with a deal to buy Galway-based marine environmental consultancy AQUAFACT.

AQUAFACT, founded by Brendan O'Connor and the late John Costelloe in 1986, is deeply embedded in the Irish scientific community and has close associations with a number of universities, including NUIG, GMIT, UCD and Trinity College Dublin.

APEM Group CEO Dr Adrian Williams said AQUAFACT's record of excellence, shared values and cultural fit were all driving factors in the acquisitions.

"We have known Brendan and the team at AQUAFACT for many years and therefore know that they deliver the highest quality marine consultancy services which complement our own marine and indeed wider ecological offering," Williams said.

"Bringing AQUAFACT into the APEM Group enables both of us to provide more services to more of our clients collectively. This together with the expanding Irish offshore wind market means that it’s an extremely exciting time to be working in environmental consultancy across Ireland and indeed further afield."

In Association with

O'Connor added: "We in AQUAFACT have known of APEM for many years and have been impressed with the quality of their work.

"In the past we have attended a number of marine invertebrate identification courses with various members of the APEM team, so we are looking forward to building on and developing those relationships as we come together."

Trading as AQUAFACT part of the APEM Group, the AQUAFACT team is expected to enhance APEM's current marine and laboratory offering, allowing the provision of a wider range of surveys to clients in Ireland, and beyond.

APEM has achieved significant growth following a management buyout in 2019, aided by private equity firm WestBridge, whose director Peter Barkley said it was "delighted to have supported this transaction and the continued growth of the APEM Group."

"A core part of our strategy is to pursue compelling opportunities that add to our capabilities with strategic acquisitions like this in both domestic and international markets," Barkley added.

"Our acquisition of Woodrow, combined with APEM’s existing business in Ireland, mean we now have a full service offering and are a leading player in the Irish market.”

Picture: APEM Group CEO Dr Adrian Williams