DRL in rival merger deal

Disaster Restoration Ltd (DRL) has confirmed it is close to finalising merger talks with Bolton-based rival One Call. The deal should be secured by early June.

Following Insurance Times' recent report on the current wave of negotiations between UK disaster recovery companies and Danish facility services organisation ISS, DRL has decided to talk openly about the merger.

A DRL spokeswoman said: "Negotiations and the legal process have been taking place for several months and finalisation of the deal is imminent. Contrary to reports, DRL's discussions with ISS last year were of a very preliminary nature at the instigation of ISS.

"DRL's only plans for the foreseeable future are expansion and reinforcement of its not inconsiderable reputation for first class damage management solutions, but only under its own banner."

One Call, which operates largely in the north and west of the country, welcomed the merger as an outstanding prospect for two like-minded companies to capitalise on their mutual strengths on a national scale.

One Call managing director Glen Sutton said: "Our combined mission will be to provide national coverage with no dilution to high levels of service."

DRL managing director Brian Armstrong said: "These are very exciting times for DRL. Our short- to medium-term plan is to extend our capability and build on our reputation for quality and service substantially.

"The alliance with One Call firmly underpins this strategy and provides an opportunity for two successful companies to jointly move on to bigger and better things."