Franchise Brands Announces Acquisition of Willow Pumps

FranchiseBrands plc, a multi-brand franchisor, is pleased to announce that it has acquired Willow Pumps, a leading water pump supply, installation and servicing business to complement and expand Metro Rod’s drainage and plumbing businesses.

Willow Pumps was founded by Ian Lawrence in 1992 and has been family owned until the acquisition by Franchise Brands. Willow Pump’s scope of work involves the supply and installation of pumps, routine servicing work, the repair and maintenance of pumps and related drainage services that may be required. Pumps are supplied and installed for both below-ground and above-ground applications.

Willow Pumps is highly complementary to Franchise Brand’s Metro Rod and Metro Plumb businesses and provides a strategic opportunity to expand the range of services that Metro Rod can offer to the commercial market, consistent with Metro Rod’s Vision 2023 strategy.

All Metro Rod franchisees will be given the opportunity to upskill, identify and self-deliver pump work utilising Willow Pumps’ expertise. The additional pump work undertaken by Metro Rod franchisees is expected to enhance their profitability. Over time, Willow Pumps will benefit from a significantly expanded delivery capability through Metro Rod’s national network of over 400 engineers working out of 43 depots across the UK.

Willow Pumps has a strong management team led by its founder, Ian Lawrence, who will continue as Managing Director, working together with Metro Rod, and will join Franchise Brand’s senior management team.

Commenting on the Acquisition, Stephen Hemsley, Executive Chairman of Franchise Brands, said: “I am delighted to announce the acquisition of Willow Pumps, which represents an important step in expanding Metro Rod’s scope of services to the commercial market, consistent with our Vision 2023 strategy. The long-term aim of the Group is to be able to serve our valued commercial customers with a “water in, waste out” range of drainage, pumps and plumbing-related services on a national basis.

The acquisition of Willow Pumps, a highly respected business and one of the leaders in the market, which Metro Rod has already worked alongside, provides the optimum way for Metro Rod to enter the specialist pump sector and develop this expertise across our franchise community.

“I am really looking forward to working with Ian Lawrence and his high-quality management team to create a national leader for drainage, pump and plumbing services.”

Ian Lawrence, the founder and Managing Director of Willow Pumps, commented: “I am very excited about building on our success to date as part of a larger, publicly quoted group with significant ambitions in the drainage, pumps and plumbing markets. The Group’s management and wider resources will be of particular value as we continue to grow Willow Pumps under Franchise Brands’ ownership.

“My team and I welcome the opportunity to work with Metro Rod franchisees all across the country and we look forward to working with Metro Rod to deliver first-class pump services and support to their national accounts.”