THE MANAGING director of collapsed Dunne Group, Gordon Dunne has been taken on as managing director of Keltbray Structures, a new offshoot created by engineering firm Keltbray Group after acquiring some of Dunne's assets from administrators.

Mr Dunne will report into the offshoot's chief executive, and Keltbray Group managing director, John Price.

Chief executive Brendan Kerr said that he believed with Keltbray’s financial resources behind it, there was “considerable scope for increasing the service offering and profitability of our business through this development, and give us a better geographical reach to other parts of the UK, including Scotland”.

While Surrey-based Keltbray has not taken over Bathgate-based Dunne Group as a going concern, or taken on any of its former contracts with clients, by acquiring some of the Dunne Group assets, the company said it was strengthening its capability and services portfolio to provide demolition, groundworks, piling and concrete structures solutions as integrated or standalone services.

Dunne Group specialised in reinforced concrete foundations and superstructures for buildings.

Mr Kerr said: “Prior to going into administration Dunne Group was a leading company in its field and enjoyed a strong reputation as a reinforced concrete frame specialist contractor.

“We believe that Keltbray will benefit from tapping into their capability and this acquisition of some of their assets," he added. "Keltbray Structures has the potential to complement and expand our existing portfolio and help us to further develop our expertise and differentiation in line with market demands.”