A long-standing business friendship has resulted in a first full strategic acquisition for Huddersfield-based The fm Company (UK) Ltd.

The Bradley-based facilities management company has acquired Huddersfield risk management and security firm Equilibrium Risk.

The fm Company has previously invested in some of its sub-contractors to help and support their businesses but this is the first time the company has made an outright acquisition.

The deal, completed this summer, has brought Equilibrium Risk co-founder Luke Appleby on board as director of security solutions.

Tony Goldstein, who founded The fm Company from his bedroom in 2015, said: “Luke and I go back a long way and have a long-standing business friendship.

“In fact Luke gave me my first office space when I rented a desk at his premises in 2017. We met socially after that and the conversation was always that we should do something together.”

The fm Company and Equilibrium Risk competed in the wider security industry space but share the same culture and work ethic, and while there had been several conversations over several years, the time naturally came right this year to on board Equilibrium Risk and Luke’s experience and expertise.

“It was right time, right place and, because of the capability in Luke’s business and a really strong culture match, this acquisition is easily one of the best moves we have made so far,” said Tony.

“There will be other acquisitions without doubt but they have to be the right ones.”

Tony and Luke have complementary skillsets and Luke is now able to focus on delivering bespoke security solutions for clients, using the latest technology and advancements.

Luke came into business after a career in the military and Tony said: “It’s not easy building a business from scratch and what Luke has achieved with Equilibrium Risk is a feat and a half.”

In Tony’s words The fm Company can now “mesh together” bespoke security solutions for clients with a package of measures from physical security guarding and CCTV to alarm systems, gates and barriers. And that can lead to an enhanced service and significant savings for clients.

Luke said: “The sky’s the limit for the company to grow regionally and nationally, and it’s a really exciting time to have joined forces.”

The fm Company has also now expanded its head office on the Bradley Business Park by moving into a larger building next door, investing around £60,000 on improved facilities for the 25 staff based there.

That includes a modern breakout space for agile working, a state-of-the art boardroom and interactive conference suite facilities, great kitchen space and office space and there’s even a walking pad for staff keen to ‘get their steps in.’

Looking ahead, a new Birmingham office is planned and Newcastle and London could follow.

Tony said: “There’s still a hunger for the business to grow but, equally, I still have to pinch myself to believe that a little company I set up from home having had to borrow a car from my parents and in-laws to make meetings, borrow a laptop from my partner’s Nan to produce work on, and essentially operate using a single mobile phone now works with some of the biggest businesses in the world.”

Tony, Luke and finance director Vicki Donaldson all agree that “the Huddersfield community is hugely important to us all, and we’ll never forget where we’ve come from.”