The deal gives SPIE UK a springboard into the overhead power line replacement and new build market, which is expected to attract massive investment over the next decade.

James Thoden van Velzen, CEO of SPIE UK, said: “The acquisition further advances our plan to expand our geographical footprint in the UK and gives us entry into an exciting new sector that has an identified investment plan of around £32bn over the next ten years.”

ENS is one of the fastest growing, specialist providers of overhead line services in the UK, generating revenue of £35m in the year to September.

The Sandbach based company employs 160 linesmen and operates at all voltage levels up to and including 275kV.

It clients include Electricity North West, Northern Ireland Electricity, Scottish Power, UK Power Networks and Western Power Distribution.

ENS will become part of SPIE UK’s Industrial Services Business and will be known as SPIE ENS.

The management team, including Mike Snee, Aidan Gunning and Steve Hodge remain in place.

Mike Snee, current Managing Director of ENS, will run the business as general manager, reporting to Steven Nanda, managing director of industrial services at SPIE UK.