Formed in 2000, ScrewFast has developed a significant track record within the infrastructure and general civil engineering markets, with a 15-year track record in highways, and its first rail schemes date back to 2002. In 2019 the company acquired Q&E Fabrications Limited, a specialist fabrications business to provide a full, bespoke service offering of design, fabrication and installation.
Example projects delivered by ScrewFast over recent years include providing foundations for temporary venues at the London 2012 Olympics, foundations work on Crossrail, the Leeds Flood Defence system and numerous highways and Smart Motorway programmes.
ScrewFast has patented designs and a proven track record of installations spanning over 20 years. Its specialist system allows the installation of steel helical piles without the requirement for heavy piling equipment or in-situ concrete works and the immediate installation of modular foundation structures which are built offsite and connected through proprietary and proven designs, ready to receive the superstructure. The end-to-end process significantly speeds-up the construction process, requires less attendant infrastructure to be provided by the main contractor and reduces on-site labour compared to traditional construction designs. The principles are similar to the Van Elle Group's pre-cast concrete Smartfoot modular foundation system.
Van Elle will retain the ScrewFast brand and will position the business within its specialist piling division, taking advantage of the synergies of shared administrative, commercial and operational resources in the division and the wider Group.
Commenting on the acquisition, Mark Cutler, CEO, Van Elle said: "This is a very exciting, complementary acquisition focussed on our higher margin, specialist piling activities which strengthens our leading position in growth markets such as highways and rail. ScrewFast has an established client base and proven track record of highly specialist services and will support the Group in the delivery of its medium-term strategic objectives. The two businesses have a similar culture and ethos which is very important to us, and we look forward to working with the ScrewFast team as we welcome them into the Group."
