US private equity investor First Reserve has purchased G4S Utility & Outsourcing Services.

The deal adds to a number of recent acquisitions by the firm, including Morrison Utility Services (MUS) and Dyer & Butler.

Overall, the company will acquire G4S Utility & Outsourcing Services' portfolio, such as data collection and meter reading; technical energy metering services (meter installation and first-line maintenance); and data process management services.


In addition, the acquisition also includes G4S Locks and Alarms and G4S Assessment Services.

The deal will see G4S Utility & Outsourcing Services rebrand as Morrison Data Services and the other associated businesses will become M Assessment Services, LRP Services and ProtectMyProperty.

Simon Best, Managing Director of Morrison Data Services, said: "We have a proven track record of delivery for our clients in the markets in which we operate and, with a multi skilled workforce and diverse portfolio of services, we are well positioned to help energy suppliers manage a changing and ever growing smart metering market.

"We believe that this acquisition will help us to further diversify using our core competencies."

(LM)