Laing O’Rourke today announced that it is part of a consortium of investors which has acquired the majority operations of precast concrete manufacturer Bison, following Bison’s entry into administrative receivership earlier today.

The deal means factories in Swadlincote, Derbyshire and Uddingston, Scotland will now be managed by Laing O’Rourke.

Greg Ward, Laing O’Rourke’s global head of manufacturing, said the deal created an opportunity for Bison to bounce back quickly from its receivership – supported by the strength of Laing O’Rourke’s international capability.

Mr Ward said: “This was a great business but it has been swept away by the economic downturn, like so many others in this industry.

“I want to emphasise that Laing O’Rourke is determined to turn Bison back into a great business once again – with a great future.”

While final details of the numbers of employees transferring to the new, Laing O’Rourke–managed business are still to be resolved, Mr Ward confirmed that he expected “a majority” of current Bison employees to be retained.

More information on the acquisition will follow in due course.