Civil engineering business Adams Kara Taylor (AKT) has undergone a management buy-out backed by Swedish engineering group Tyrens for £3.75 million, five years after it was bought for £10.5 million.

Civil engineering business Adams Kara Taylor (AKT) has undergone a management buy-out backed by Swedish engineering group Tyrens for £3.75 million, five years after it was bought for £10.5 million.

Holding company WYG, which is listed on AIM, has sold to newly formed acquiring company AKT2 after deciding that London-based AKT did not fit with its new ‘globally integrated capability led business model’. It will now look to focus on core businesses and target acquisitions.

Yorkshire-headquartered WYG, formerly called White Young Green, initially purchased AKT in 2006 for £10.5 million with the aim of developing its then UK engineering business unit. Since then AKT has operated as a stand-alone entity.

Hanif Kara, partner at AKT, says that the MBO is a step towards reversing the trends that has seen the engineering industry struggle in recent times.

Kara adds that the business is ‘delighted’ to be making a move to independence.

AKT’s original directors Robin Adams, Hanif Kara and Albert Williams-Taylor, are now joined by Paul Scott and Gerry O’Brien as equity directors.

Paul Hamer, CEO of WYG Group, says that AKT has been a valued member of the group during the past four years, particularly in contributing to improving relationships with global clients.

He adds: ‘WYG and AKT2 will continue to collaborate on projects of mutual interest in key global regions.’

AKT employs 120 people from its London base while Tyrens has 1000 employees in 20 offices in Sweden.