A national provider of support services to fire and rescue organisations is to strengthen its offering with the acquisition of a technical safety and rescue training consultancy.

A national provider of support services to fire and rescue organisations is to strengthen its offering with the acquisition of a technical safety and rescue training consultancy.

AssetCo plc has agreed to buy RIG Systems, which provides its offering to the fire and rescue service as well as other emergency agencies in the UK, in a deal that could be worth more than £1.6 million.

The acquisition has been agreed for an initial £839,000 cash payment, with up to the same value due in cash and shares if certain performance targets are achieved in the year to June 2009.

The deals adds additional expertise and products to AssetCo’s Emergency Resource business, which recruits, trains and provides specialist staff for clients in the emergency sectors in the UK and overseas.

AssetCo chief executive John Shannon said RIG’s services are in great demand. “As the incumbent water rescue trainer to the London Fire Brigade, this transaction allows us to develop new services for our key client, whilst recent flooding events have highlighted the value of RIG’s skills.”

RIG was founded in 2000 by Royal Marines officers to apply military training techniques to the emergency services. Its clients include various fire and rescue organisations, police services, local authorities and government agencies.

The company also develops integrated water, height and confined space rescue risk control systems. In addition, it supplies technology to those engaged in water safety and rescue and working at heights. Management expect the company to generate a £240,000 pre-tax profit in the year to June 2008.