Sullivan Street has further strengthened its marine services portfolio with the acquisition of Marine Plant Hire (UK) Ltd (MPH), a specialist in marine plant charter and hire, supporting a wide range of marine construction activities.The acquisition brings together a trio of companies—Hesselberg-Hydro, TMS, and MPH—that focus on repair, construction, and redevelopment projects across the UK’s waterways and tidal coastal zones. Reports Contract Journal
These businesses have now been integrated under the newly formed Ancora Group, a strategic move by Sullivan Street to enhance its national footprint and develop a robust network of self-delivering marine contractors.
Together, Hesselberg-Hydro, TMS, and MPH generate combined revenues exceeding £50 million and maintain strong relationships with key industry stakeholders, including water utilities, the Environment Agency, tier-one contractors, harbour authorities, and private sector clients.
TMS, established in 1991, offers a comprehensive range of services such as piling, dredging, waterway management, and flood risk management. The company continues its growth trajectory under the leadership of founder Peter Stenner, who remains in place as CEO.
Founded in 1986, Hesselberg-Hydro is recognised for its expertise in advanced coastal defence and flood management, notably pioneering open stone asphalt techniques. A recent project at Canvey Island, for instance, will safeguard 3km of coastline for the next half-century. Roger Smith, Founder of Hesselberg-Hydro, will continue as Managing Director and remains optimistic about the business’s growth prospects.
MPH, originally part of TMS, has been restructured as an independent trading entity to meet the increasing market demand for specialist marine equipment beyond TMS’s own requirements. This move positions MPH to better serve the wider industry as a stand-alone company.
Richard Sanders, Founder and Managing Partner at Sullivan Street Partners said: “TMS, Hesselberg-Hydro and MPH are excellent businesses, with a high-calibre workforce, motivated to solve problems and make good the challenges our coastline and inland waterways are facing. Together with Peter and Roger we will create a national marine infrastructure group with its own equipment and self-taught engineering staff, to get the UK to where we need to be.”
Peter Stenner Founder and CEO of TMS added: “Over the past 30 or more years, we’ve built the group with the support of dedicated friends and colleagues who have helped us attain the position that we are in today. With the partnership between Sullivan Street and ourselves, I’m confident that we are now in a strong position to tackle new challenges and take the group to even greater heights.”
