• Glanua announces strategic acquisition of Bradford-based Aqua Operations, a leading provider of industrial operations and maintenance solutions to the water and wastewater sector in the UK
• Acquisition marks a significant milestone in Glanua's growth strategy, which expands its UK operations and enables the company to bring its industrial engineering solutions to a wider range of clients

Leading Irish water and wastewater engineering company Glanua, today announced it has acquired Bradford-based industrial operations and maintenance firm Aqua Operations as it continues to expand its operations in the UK.

The financial details of the sale remain undisclosed, but the acquisition will significantly enhance Glanua’s capacity to scale its industrial division business and increase its presence in the UK’s water and wastewater industry. The acquisition comes after Glanua recently announced it had received significant funding from Rabobank to support the company’s expansion.

Following the transaction, Aqua Operations will continue to trade under its current name, and its founder Jon Waller will remain in a leading role within the business. There will be no impact on existing jobs in either Glanua or Aqua Operations, with both parties aiming to expand their operations and headcount in the time ahead.

Aqua Operations has experienced remarkable growth since its inception, achieving revenues of £15 million within just four years and more than doubling its business in the past year alone. Supported by a dedicated team of 40 staff, Aqua Operations is renowned for its expertise in the operation and maintenance of water and wastewater systems, serving a diverse client base across the UK, including key clients such as Unilever, First Milk, and Greencore.

On foot of the acquisition, Aqua Operations will look to expand and enhance its capabilities and offer new integrated design and build services alongside its existing operations and maintenance and technical support services for water and wastewater solutions.

This acquisition aligns with Glanua’s commitment to expand its industrial operations and maintenance services, an area in which the company has considerable expertise in Ireland. By integrating Aqua Operations' capabilities, Glanua will enhance its service offering, delivering comprehensive engineering solutions to a broader client base in the UK.

This new purchase follows a period of significant growth for Glanua in the past 12 months following the company’s rebrand in July 2023. The company’s turnover increased by 50% for the full year to December 2023, and it has opened four new offices across Ireland and the UK (Belfast, Cork, Reading and London).  Glanua’s headcount grew by 190 since July 2023, exceeding its original recruitment target of 100 new staff for the year.

Glanua’s long-term strategic plan is to grow turnover to €400 million by 2028. 

Karl Zimmerer, Group Managing Director of Glanua, said: "We are very pleased to acquire Aqua Operations which has built a strong reputation for excellence in the water and wastewater sector in a very short time. This acquisition creates significant synergies, allowing us to expand our operations and maintenance services in the UK while also enabling Aqua Operations to benefit from our design and build expertise. By combining the skills and capabilities of Aqua Operations, Glanua will enhance the range of services it offers and establish itself as a complete solutions provider in water and wastewater solutions to a wider range of customers."

Jon Waller, founder of Aqua Operations, said: "This is an exciting new chapter for Aqua Operations. Glanua is a leading provider of innovative and sustainable engineering solutions for critical water and wastewater infrastructure across the UK and Ireland. This acquisition will allow us to accelerate our growth and better serve our clients. I believe Glanua has the expertise and resources to grow Aqua Operations with new investment across all areas of our business. As Managing Director of Aqua Operations I look forward to working with Karl and the wider Glanua team."

Earlier this year, Glanua appointed Keith Hayward to lead its industrial business. Keith joined Glanua in May 2024 from Evoqua Water Technologies to support the company’s anticipated growth in the industrial sector over the next five years.

Keith Hayward, Managing Director – Industrial Division of Glanua, said: "This is a fantastic move for Glanua to increase its UK presence. Aqua Operations' clients will now have access to Glanua’s extensive design and build capabilities, and Glanua will acquire a solid customer base to expand its operations and maintenance portfolio. The company has huge potential for growth in the industrial market, and my aim as Managing Director of this Division is to make our company a full-service provider of water and wastewater solutions. I'm excited to collaborate with Aqua Operations' brilliant team to further their success and promote innovation and expansion.’’