A MULTI-MILLION pound buy-out is set to spark an expansion programme. The ARM group has been bought from its parent firm Semara plc in a £39.5million bid by management.

ARM, based in Leyland, carries out maintenance contracts for utility firms including BT, Norweb and North West Water.

The buyout team was led by chief executive Owen McLaughlin, together with commercial director Sean Keogh, financial director James Thornton and IT director Robert Johnson. It was backed by funds from 3i.

"The opportunity to acquire ARM is a very exciting prospect for its management. Utility service is a market set for growth and we intend to use our combined skills and drive to participate in that growth," said Owen McLaughlin.

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