From L-R ABM UK Managing Director, Andy Donnell, ABM Critical Solutions Managing Director, David Hogg

London – 28 February 2017 – ABM’s UK business and industry group has announced the acquisition of the UK’s leading provider of specialist technical cleaning and data centre healthcare services, 8 Solutions.

The acquisition of 8 Solutions – which will now be known as ‘ABM Critical Solutions’ – further backs-up ABM’s focus on becoming a fully integrated facilities services provider, and to continue the group’s growth within the UK. It follows ABM’s previous acquisitions of OmniServ[1] in 2012; Gbm Support Services Group Limited[2] in 2014; and Westway Services[3] in 2015.

Headquartered in Derbyshire, and with further offices in London and the South East, 8 Solutions has over 25 years’ experience of data centre healthcare, and is the market leader in its industry. 8 Solutions boasts over 230 clients, which include: BT, Everything Everywhere, Vodafone, Lloyds TSB, Legal & General, BP, GSK, National Grid, HP, IBM, CBRE, and Unilever.

Formed in 1991, 8 Solutions’ core offerings include: Technical Cleaning; Testing & Consultancy; Airflow Management; Raised Access Flooring; Remediation; Fire Stopping; Contamination Management; and Room Integrity Testing.

8 Solutions is led by managing director David Hogg, who has spent his career in the services industry. After qualifying as a chartered accountant in 1995, Hogg was appointed group finance director of National Accident Repair Services. He then joined the Associated British Ports as head of finance before accepting the position of UK finance director with Chubb Fire & Security. Prior to joining 8 Solutions in 2011, Hogg was the finance director of East Anglian maintenance company, May Gurney.

David Hogg commented: “We believe that ABM UK and 8 Solutions share a common, dynamic vision, and we needed little convincing that an invitation to join the ABM family was the right thing to do strategically.

“8 Solutions strives to stay one step ahead of its competitors, and we felt that ABM UK would give us the added expertise and support to continue to achieve this. Furthermore, customer service is a fundamental part of our client offering, and we were thoroughly impressed with the emphasis that ABM UK put on ensuring the service that its clients receive is nothing short of exemplary.”

At 8 Solutions, Hogg is responsible for the company’s strategic development into existing and new markets, and is closely involved in the sales and operational delivery side of the business. As well as directing 8 Solutions, Hogg is chair of the Data Centre Alliance’s anti-contamination steering group, which promotes adherence to anti-contamination best practices.

Andy Donnell, managing director at ABM UK, commented: “Today, businesses are reliant on information technology and minimising server down-time can directly influence the bottom line. Over the last 25 years, 8 Solutions has built an enviable reputation in helping clients maintain optimum performance levels, and we very much look forward to working closely with David and his team.”

ABOUT ABM

ABM is a leading provider of facility solutions with revenues of approximately $5.1 billion and over 100,000 employees in 300+ offices throughout the United States and various international locations. ABM’s comprehensive capabilities include janitorial, electrical & lighting, energy solutions, facilities engineering, HVAC & mechanical, landscape & turf, mission critical solutions and parking, provided through stand-alone or integrated solutions. ABM provides custom facility solutions in urban, suburban and rural areas to properties of all sizes – from schools and commercial buildings to hospitals, data centers, manufacturing plants and airports. ABM Industries Incorporated, which operates through its subsidiaries, was founded in 1909. For more information, visit www.abm.com

[1] OmniServ:  one of the UK’s leading airport service providers

[2] GBM Support Services Group Limited: a leading provider of cleaning, security, building maintenance, waste and facilities management services

[3] Westway: leading technical building services provider