by Carryn Dewing - Friday, 11th April 2008 -

Here are some of the deals that have been done at the smaller end of the market this week.

Solicitors Own Software, the Bath-based software developer with 37 staff, has undergone a management buy-out following the planned retirement of founder Michael Platt. The new management team includes directors Keith Denman, Elaine Galvin, Graham Colbourne, Stephen Parry and David McNamara. Platt notes: “I firmly believe that this is the best outcome for clients and staff. I am leaving SOS in the safest hands.” The financial details of the MBO were not disclosed.

FD Systems has acquired BGM Business Solutions, the retail technology firm with offices in Milton Keynes and Oxford. Nigel Griffiths, commercial director of FD Systems, says: “Our presence in Milton Keynes and Oxford provides an important boost for the geographic growth of FD Systems.”

Grontmij has acquired Roger Preston & Partners, the Maidenhead-based building services firm with 160 staff and annual turnover of £12m, reportedly for £13m. Headquartered in Maidenhead, with a substantial office in Poland and activities in Germany, North America and Asia, Roger Preston & Partners, brings more than 75 years of experience in building consultancy.

Vp has acquired Redding Hire, the Northamptonshire-based construction equipment rental firm, for £2.9m. Redding will operate within Vp's Groundforce division. Jeremy Pilkington, chairman of Vp comments: “We are very pleased to acquire the Redding business which will further strengthen Groundforce's geographical distribution and customer base.”

Hydro Group has secured £4m of financial backing from Clydesdale Bank to develop new subsea research and engineering test facilities at Aberdeen Science & Energy Park.

Flowcrete, the Cheshire-based supplier of flooring systems, has been acquired by RPM of the US for about £35m. Chair and Real Business columnist Dawn Gibbins MBE says: “Flowcrete has been a central part of my life for 25 years but I am glad it is being transferred into the ownership of such an entrepreneurial company as RPM, under a deal that gives the company a platform for growth, stability and success.” Gibbins plans to invest £2m starting up a new business called Barefoot Living.

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