Northern Ireland lift specialist Re-Ropes, a division of Mallusk-based WH Scott Group, has acquired Bluecoat Engineering, a south London steel fabricator that makes and refurbishes components for lift cars. The deal pairs Re-Ropes’ expertise in the machinery that moves a lift with Bluecoat’s lift car and component work, giving customers a single partner for lift refurbishment and modernisation.

Founded in 2011 by Graham Ladbrook, Michael Roach and Ray Lynch, who have managed it since, Bluecoat is based in Beckenham and fields trained engineers across the UK. It specialises in car refurbishment and reskinning, giving cars a durable modern finish without the cost and disruption of full replacement.

Established in 1986, Re-Ropes was the UK’s first independent supply-and-fit lift roping provider and joined WH Scott Group in 2022. WH Scott Group is backed by Dublin-based private equity firm Renatus Capital Partners.

Sean Mulvihill, director of Re-Ropes, said: “For almost 40 years, Re-Ropes has focused on keeping the UK’s lifts moving safely and reliably. Bluecoat brings the car, the landings and the fabricated components that sit around our work, so together we can offer our customers a far more complete refurbishment service.”

Mulvihill added: “Just as importantly, Graham, Michael, Ray and their team share our values of quality, reliability and genuine customer service.”

Bluecoat’s directors said: “Joining Re-Ropes and the wider WH Scott Group is the right next step for the business, our customers and our employees. Our services complement each other perfectly and together we can offer the lift industry something genuinely complete.”

The structural driver is demand for lift refurbishment and modernisation, which lets owners renew lift cars without the cost and disruption of full replacement.

For the sector, Bluecoat is the second business WH Scott Group has acquired in a KBS-advised deal in just over six months, following Workplace Inspection Services in its testing, inspection and certification division.

Source: newsletter.co.uk / reropes.co.uk / whscottlifting.com