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Van Elle

Full company profile

uuid002cwgm

Namestring
Van Elle
Legal namestring
Van Elle Holdings Limited
Websiteurl
van-elle.co.uk
Company typeenum
Private
Founded yearint
1984
Descriptiontext

Van Elle Holdings Limited is the UK's largest and most diverse geotechnical and ground engineering contractor, founded in 1984 and headquartered in Kirkby-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire. The company delivers piling, ground investigation, pile testing, geotechnical engineering, slope stabilisation, ground improvement, retaining structures, rail engineering, and modular foundation systems across three core verticals: Residential (integrated foundations for national and regional housebuilders), Infrastructure (rail, highways, energy, utilities), and Construction (commercial, industrial, residential). It claims over 25 specialist ground engineering techniques and operates five retained sub-brands (Screwfast, Strata, Rock and Alluvium, Albion Drilling Group, Van Elle Training), with vertically integrated in-house precast manufacturing, steel fabrication, and a workforce training academy.

The company monetises through project-based, quote-based B2B enterprise contracts secured via direct tendering and frameworks with major housebuilders, infrastructure contractors, and energy clients. Key proprietary product lines include the Smartdeck, Smartfoot, and Smartbase modular precast foundations, and ScrewFast helical and GRIP piles for restricted-access piling. Revenue for H1 FY2026 (six months ended 31 October 2025) was £73.4 million, up 16% year-on-year, with an order book of £44.9 million (+8% YoY) and an expected £40 million annual revenue contribution from energy sector frameworks from FY2028. Operating margins are thin (2.8% in H1 FY2026), reflecting the project-contract nature of the business.

In June 2026, Van Elle was acquired by STRABAG UK for £58.8 million at 52.3 pence per share (a 58.5% premium) via scheme of arrangement, delisted from AIM, and re-registered as a private limited entity. Prior to the acquisition, Van Elle had disposed of its Canadian operations in December 2025 and completed the acquisition of Albion Drilling Group in October 2024. Post-acquisition, the senior leadership was restructured under a joint managing director model while CFO Graeme Campbell remained in place.

Short descriptiontext

Van Elle is the UK's largest geotechnical and ground engineering contractor, delivering piling, ground investigation, modular foundations, and rail engineering services to housebuilders, infrastructure, and energy clients via proprietary Smartdeck, Smartfoot, Smartbase, and ScrewFast systems; acquired by STRABAG UK in June 2026.

Operating statusenum
Acquired
Ownership categoryenum
Headcount rangeband
501–1,000
akta.pro rankint
HeadquartersPinxton, United Kingdom
HQ citystring
Pinxton
HQ countrystring
United Kingdom
HQ regionstring
Europe
Markets served

Serves global market

Offices1 record

Each record includes

City, Country, Type, Description, Source

Keyword5 values
geotechnical engineering, ground engineering services, piling contractors, foundation systems, rail engineering services
Industry3 codes
1Geotechnical Design, Engineering & Consulting (Analysis, Design, Peer Review)
CodeIMAFAOAKPrimaryYes
2Geotechnical & Subsurface Engineering Consulting
CodeBPAHAIABPrimaryNo
3Roadway Structures & Geotechnical Asset Maintenance (Retaining Walls, Slopes, Rockfall)
CodeTLAJAAAIPrimaryNo
NAICS code3 codes
  • Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services5413
  • Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction237
  • Geophysical Surveying and Mapping Services541360
SIC code1 code
  • Services-Engineering Services8711
Product category
Geotechnical and Ground Engineering Services
GTM motion1 record

Each record includes

Type, Description, Source

Revenue model3 records
1Geotechnical Engineering Services
TypeOne Time License
Description

Project-based revenue from ground engineering services including piling, ground investigation, slope stabilisation, and geotechnical engineering for construction, residential, and infrastructure projects.

van-elle.co.uk
2Rail Engineering Services
TypeOne Time License
Description

Specialist rail sector services including overhead line electrification, lineside civils, structures, and track bed stabilisation

van-elle.co.uk
3Modular Foundation Systems
TypeOne Time License
Description

Sale and installation of proprietary modular foundation systems (Smartdeck, Smartfoot, Smartbase, ScrewFast Steel Modular Grillages)

van-elle.co.uk
Marketing channels4 records

Each record includes

Title, Type, Stage, Description, Source

Distribution channels1 record

Each record includes

Title, Type, Scope, Target buyer, Description, Source

Cost components6 values
Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
GTM typeB2B
B2B
Offering typeServices
Services
Brand1 of 5 records shown
1Screwfast
Description

Specialist helical and GRIP pile systems and modular foundation solutions

van-elle.co.uk
+4 more records
Core offering1 text field

Van Elle is the UK's largest and most diverse geotechnical and ground engineering contractor, offering end-to-end capabilities with over 25 specialist ground engineering techniques. The company provides piling, ground investigation, pile testing, geotechnical engineering, slope stabilisation, ground improvement, retaining structures, rail engineering, and proprietary modular foundation systems (Smartdeck, Smartfoot, Smartbase, ScrewFast, GRIP) to residential, infrastructure, and construction clients.

Differentiator
Functional benefit
Problem solved
Quantifiable outcome1 of 4 values shown
  • 16% revenue increase to £73.4 million in H1 FY2026
+3 more records
Product overview1 text field

Van Elle is the UK's largest and most diverse geotechnical and ground engineering contractor, operating as a unified service organisation offering end-to-end capabilities with over 25 specialist ground engineering techniques. The company operates across three core markets: Residential (integrated piling and foundation systems for housebuilders and multi-storey residential), Infrastructure (specialist ground engineering to rail, highways, coastal, flooding, energy and utility sectors), and Construction (full range of piling and ground improvement services to commercial, industrial and residential sectors). The portfolio includes ground investigation, pile testing, geotechnical engineering, slope stabilisation, ground improvement, retaining structures, open site piling, restricted access piling, rail engineering, and modular foundation systems. Key branded products include ScrewFast helical and GRIP piles, the Smartdeck/Smartfoot/Smartbase modular foundation range, and subsidiary brands Rock and Alluvium and Albion Drilling Group. The company provides in-house logistical support through precast manufacturing and steel fabrication, and offers construction training through Van Elle Training.

Product and service12 records
1Ground Investigation Services
CategoryGround investigation
2Pile Testing Services
3Geotechnical Engineering
4Slope Stabilisation
5Ground Improvement
6Retaining Structures
7Open Site Piling
8Restricted Access and Specialist Piling
9Rail Engineering
10Modular Foundation Systems
11In-house Logistical Support
12Construction Training
Scale indicator10 records

Each record includes

Type, Value, Description, Source

Partnership1 partner
1STRABAG UK
Strategic tierCoreTypeStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnounced on2026-06-15
Description

STRABAG UK acquired Van Elle for £58.8 million in June 2026, making it a wholly-owned subsidiary. Van Elle was re-registered as a private limited entity following the acquisition. The deal represents STRABAG's strategy to strengthen its position as a vertically integrated market leader by adding Van Elle's established UK ground engineering platform to its existing operations.

Recent move7 records

Each record includes

Date, Type, Title, Description, Source

Expansion highlight5 records

Each record includes

Type, Description

Market position
Competitive moat5 records

Each record includes

Type, Details

Key risks6 records

Each record includes

Headline, Details, Source

Key highlights7 records

Each record includes

Headline, Details, Source

Customer concentration

Classification, Details

Named customers4 records

Each record includes

Name, Industry, Type, Use case, Source, UUID

Segment3 records

Each record includes

Title, Type, Primary, Description, Pain point addressed, Use case, Source

Ideal customer profile3 records

Each record includes

Profile, Firmographic size, Sales motion, Sales cycle length, Buying structure, Purchase trigger, Buyer persona, Geography, Industry vertical, Primary use case, Description, Pain points, Evidence proof points, Target buyer

Technology focused
No
API detail
Has APIbool
No

Docs URL, Description

AI maturity
App detail

Has app

Feature5 records

Each record includes

Title, Differentiator, Description, Source

Core technology
Revenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Number of profiles
Profiles4 records

Each record includes

Name, Designation, Designation category, Overview, Profile commentary, Source

Subsidiaries5 records

Each record includes

Name, Acquired on, Relationship type, Type, Business focus

No data
Funding overview

Funding stage, Last funding date, Total funding USD

Funding rounds

Each record includes

Round, Amount USD, Date, Pre money valuation, Total investors, Investors, News

Investors

Each record includes

Name, Type, Date of entry, Rounds participated, Website

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A2 records

Each record includes

Name, Acquisition type, Announced date, Completed date, Status, Website, News

Investment

Each record includes

Name, Round, Announced date, Lead investor, Website, News

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Van Elle

Geotechnical and Ground Engineering Servicesvan-elle.co.uk

Van Elle is the UK's largest geotechnical and ground engineering contractor, delivering piling, ground investigation, modular foundations, and rail engineering services to housebuilders, infrastructure, and energy clients via proprietary Smartdeck, Smartfoot, Smartbase, and ScrewFast systems; acquired by STRABAG UK in June 2026.

What Van Elle does

Van Elle Holdings Limited is the UK's largest and most diverse geotechnical and ground engineering contractor, founded in 1984 and headquartered in Kirkby-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire. The company delivers piling, ground investigation, pile testing, geotechnical engineering, slope stabilisation, ground improvement, retaining structures, rail engineering, and modular foundation systems across three core verticals: Residential (integrated foundations for national and regional housebuilders), Infrastructure (rail, highways, energy, utilities), and Construction (commercial, industrial, residential). It claims over 25 specialist ground engineering techniques and operates five retained sub-brands (Screwfast, Strata, Rock and Alluvium, Albion Drilling Group, Van Elle Training), with vertically integrated in-house precast manufacturing, steel fabrication, and a workforce training academy.

The company monetises through project-based, quote-based B2B enterprise contracts secured via direct tendering and frameworks with major housebuilders, infrastructure contractors, and energy clients. Key proprietary product lines include the Smartdeck, Smartfoot, and Smartbase modular precast foundations, and ScrewFast helical and GRIP piles for restricted-access piling. Revenue for H1 FY2026 (six months ended 31 October 2025) was £73.4 million, up 16% year-on-year, with an order book of £44.9 million (+8% YoY) and an expected £40 million annual revenue contribution from energy sector frameworks from FY2028. Operating margins are thin (2.8% in H1 FY2026), reflecting the project-contract nature of the business.

In June 2026, Van Elle was acquired by STRABAG UK for £58.8 million at 52.3 pence per share (a 58.5% premium) via scheme of arrangement, delisted from AIM, and re-registered as a private limited entity. Prior to the acquisition, Van Elle had disposed of its Canadian operations in December 2025 and completed the acquisition of Albion Drilling Group in October 2024. Post-acquisition, the senior leadership was restructured under a joint managing director model while CFO Graeme Campbell remained in place.

Van Elle firmographics

Firmographics
Name
Van Elle
Legal name
Van Elle Holdings Limited
Website
https://van-elle.co.uk
Company type
Private
Founded year
1984
Operating status
Acquired
Headcount range
501–1,000 employees
Short description
Van Elle is the UK's largest geotechnical and ground engineering contractor, delivering piling, ground investigation, modular foundations, and rail engineering services to housebuilders, infrastructure, and energy clients via proprietary Smartdeck, Smartfoot, Smartbase, and ScrewFast systems; acquired by STRABAG UK in June 2026.
Ownership category
akta.pro rank

Van Elle industry classification

Industry
Product category
Geotechnical and Ground Engineering Services
NAICS
Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services (5413), Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction (237), Geophysical Surveying and Mapping Services (541360)
SIC
Services-Engineering Services (8711)
akta.pro primary industry
Geotechnical Design, Engineering & Consulting (Analysis, Design, Peer Review) (IMAFAOAK)
akta.pro secondary industries
Geotechnical & Subsurface Engineering Consulting (BPAHAIAB), Roadway Structures & Geotechnical Asset Maintenance (Retaining Walls, Slopes, Rockfall) (TLAJAAAI)

Keywords

  • Geotechnical engineering
  • Ground engineering services
  • Piling contractors
  • Foundation systems
  • Rail engineering services

Where Van Elle is headquartered

Location

Headquarters

HQ city
Pinxton
HQ country
United Kingdom
HQ region
Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

Van Elle business model

Business model
GTM type
B2B
Offering type
Services
Cost components
Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

  1. Geotechnical Engineering Services: Project-based revenue from ground engineering services including piling, ground investigation, slope stabilisation, and geotechnical engineering for construction, residential, and infrastructure projects.
  2. Rail Engineering Services: Specialist rail sector services including overhead line electrification, lineside civils, structures, and track bed stabilisation
  3. Modular Foundation Systems: Sale and installation of proprietary modular foundation systems (Smartdeck, Smartfoot, Smartbase, ScrewFast Steel Modular Grillages)

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Van Elle product offering

Product offering

Core offering

Van Elle is the UK's largest and most diverse geotechnical and ground engineering contractor, offering end-to-end capabilities with over 25 specialist ground engineering techniques. The company provides piling, ground investigation, pile testing, geotechnical engineering, slope stabilisation, ground improvement, retaining structures, rail engineering, and proprietary modular foundation systems (Smartdeck, Smartfoot, Smartbase, ScrewFast, GRIP) to residential, infrastructure, and construction clients.

Product overview

Van Elle is the UK's largest and most diverse geotechnical and ground engineering contractor, operating as a unified service organisation offering end-to-end capabilities with over 25 specialist ground engineering techniques. The company operates across three core markets: Residential (integrated piling and foundation systems for housebuilders and multi-storey residential), Infrastructure (specialist ground engineering to rail, highways, coastal, flooding, energy and utility sectors), and Construction (full range of piling and ground improvement services to commercial, industrial and residential sectors). The portfolio includes ground investigation, pile testing, geotechnical engineering, slope stabilisation, ground improvement, retaining structures, open site piling, restricted access piling, rail engineering, and modular foundation systems. Key branded products include ScrewFast helical and GRIP piles, the Smartdeck/Smartfoot/Smartbase modular foundation range, and subsidiary brands Rock and Alluvium and Albion Drilling Group. The company provides in-house logistical support through precast manufacturing and steel fabrication, and offers construction training through Van Elle Training.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

  • Screwfast: Specialist helical and GRIP pile systems and modular foundation solutions
  • Strata
  • Van Elle Training
  • Rock and Alluvium
  • Albion Drilling Group

Products and services

  • Ground Investigation Services
  • Pile Testing Services
  • Geotechnical Engineering
  • Slope Stabilisation
  • Ground Improvement
  • Retaining Structures
  • Open Site Piling
  • Restricted Access and Specialist Piling
  • Rail Engineering
  • Modular Foundation Systems
  • In-house Logistical Support
  • Construction Training

Quantifiable outcome

  • 16% revenue increase to £73.4 million in H1 FY2026
  • +3 more outcomes

Companies that use Van Elle

Customer profile

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Van Elle technology and API

Technology

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API
No
API docs
API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Van Elle partnerships and signals

Strategic signal

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

  • STRABAG UKcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 June 2026STRABAG UK acquired Van Elle for £58.8 million in June 2026, making it a wholly-owned subsidiary. Van Elle was re-registered as a private limited entity following the acquisition. The deal represents STRABAG's strategy to strengthen its position as a vertically integrated market leader by adding Van Elle's established UK ground engineering platform to its existing operations.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Van Elle competitors and assessment

Company assessment

Market position

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Van Elle social profiles

Digital presence

Van Elle financial estimates

Financial estimate

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Van Elle leadership team

Management profile

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Van Elle subsidiaries and ownership

Company hierarchy

Subsidiaries5 records

Van Elle funding detail

Funding detail

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Van Elle M&A and investment

M&A and investment

M&A2 records

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Van Elle

What does Van Elle do?

Van Elle is the UK's largest and most diverse geotechnical and ground engineering contractor, offering end-to-end capabilities with over 25 specialist ground engineering techniques. The company provides piling, ground investigation, pile testing, geotechnical engineering, slope stabilisation, ground improvement, retaining structures, rail engineering, and proprietary modular foundation systems (Smartdeck, Smartfoot, Smartbase, ScrewFast, GRIP) to residential, infrastructure, and construction clients.

Is Van Elle a public or private company?

Van Elle is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently acquired.

When was Van Elle founded?

Van Elle was founded in 1984. It employs 501 to 1,000 people.

Where is Van Elle based?

Van Elle is headquartered in Pinxton, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.

How does Van Elle make money?

Three revenue lines are on record. Geotechnical Engineering Services are the primary driver. The others are rail Engineering Services and modular Foundation Systems.

Does Van Elle have an API?

No public API is recorded for Van Elle.

What industry is Van Elle in?

Van Elle's product category is Geotechnical and Ground Engineering Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAFAOAK, Geotechnical Design, Engineering & Consulting (Analysis, Design, Peer Review), with a secondary code of BPAHAIAB, Geotechnical & Subsurface Engineering Consulting. Its NAICS code is 5413 and its SIC code is 8711.

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Live signals
Simply Wall StUK Government Contractor Stocks To Watch As Public Spending Faces New ScrutinyKing Charles III's publication of his £12.9m tax bill has intensified scrutiny on UK public spending, highlighting investment opportunities in government contractor stocks such as Mitie Group, Ashtead Technology Holdings, and Van Elle Holdings. The article analyzes the financial profiles of these three companies, noting their exposure to public sector contracts alongside risks like thin margins and high debt levels. It serves as an overview for investors to evaluate these firms' potential benefits from increased transparency and funding in the UK public sector.The UKStrabag reshuffles Van Elle leadership after £59m dealStrabag UK has restructured the senior leadership team at piling specialist Van Elle following the completion of its £59m acquisition of the Nottingham-based contractor. Chief executive Mark Cutler will step back into an advisory role across the wider Strabag UK business. Former chief operating officer Malcolm O'Sullivan and preconstruction director Matt Love have both been promoted to joint managing director positions, working alongside chief financial officer Graeme Campbell.InsidermediaCourt sanctions £58.8m takeover of Van Elle by European construction giantThe High Court has sanctioned the £58.8m acquisition of UK ground engineering firm Van Elle by STRABAG UK under a scheme of arrangement, clearing a key regulatory hurdle for the deal. STRABAG UK agreed to pay 52.3 pence per Van Elle share, with shareholders having already voted in favor of the transaction in May, and the deal is expected to complete on 15 June 2026. The acquisition comes as Van Elle faces challenging trading conditions, with adjusted profits before tax for the full year to April 2026 forecast to fall below previous expectations.EuropaWireSTRABAG SE Moves Closer to Van Elle Acquisition as Shareholders Approve Scheme of ArrangementVan Elle shareholders approved STRABAG UK's takeover offer, with 99.96% of votes cast supporting the Scheme of Arrangement. The transaction remains subject to customary conditions and Court sanction, with completion expected on 15 June 2026.UK Investor MagazineAIM weekly movers: Mercantile Ports hopeful of debt dealThis AIM weekly movers report covers multiple small-cap stocks on the London Stock Exchange, documenting significant share price movements in both directions. Notable gainers include Mercantile Ports (up 343%), Van Elle (up 57.5%), and European Green Transition (up 56.2%), driven by a potential acquisition bid, positive contract pipelines, and UK government policy changes respectively. Notable fallers include Impax Asset Management (down 22.4% after disappointing quarterly AUM figures) and Sunda Energy (down 21.1% despite announcing acquisitions and drilling plans in Timor-Leste and New Zealand).UK Investor MagazineAIM movers: Van Elle bid and ex-dividendsSTRABAG UK is recommending a 52.3p per share cash bid for AIM-listed ground engineering company Van Elle, valuing it at £58.8 million, with the share price jumping 56.15% to 51.5p — its highest level in over three years. Separately, Mercantile Ports and Logistics is pursuing legal remedies to regain control of its port subsidiary Karanja Terminal & Logistics, with a court hearing scheduled for Friday 10 April to consider the company's proposal after an international oil and gas firm emerged as a potential funding provider. The cybersecurity incident at Zephyr Energy, where £700,000 was fraudulently transferred, also features among notable AIM movers, alongside ex-dividend announcements from BTG Consulting, Bioventix, Northamber, and Somero Enterprises.Sharecast.comStrabag to buy Van Elle in £58.8m dealAIM-listed ground engineering contractor Van Elle has agreed to be acquired by Strabag's UK arm for £58.8 million in a deal valuing each share at 52.3p, representing a 58.5% premium to the prior closing price. Strabag UK cited complementary client relationships across residential, water, energy, and transport sectors as drivers for cross-selling opportunities and revenue synergies. Van Elle's board noted that broader sector and macroeconomic challenges impacted standalone value creation, and views the cash offer as providing certainty compared to executing its independent strategy.InsidermediaEuropean construction giant strikes £58.8m deal for Van Elle - shareholders recommended to back the transactionSTRABAG UK, a European construction giant, has agreed to acquire Van Elle, a listed UK specialist geotechnical engineering contractor, for approximately £58.8 million at 52.3 pence per share, with the deal expected to complete by end of June 2026. The Van Elle board has unanimously recommended shareholders accept the cash offer, which represents a significant premium and will result in the company being re-registered as a private limited entity. STRABAG stated the acquisition strengthens its position as a vertically integrated market leader by adding Van Elle's established UK ground engineering platform to its existing operations.UK Investor MagazineVan Elle agrees to £58m takeoverAustrian construction group STRABAG has agreed to acquire AIM-listed ground engineering specialist Van Elle Holdings for 52.3p per share in cash, representing a 58.5% premium to Van Elle's closing price and a total enterprise value of approximately £58.8 million. The deal, which has unanimous board approval, will be implemented via a scheme of arrangement and marks Van Elle's exit from London's public markets. STRABAG views the acquisition as fitting its growth strategy targeting vertical integration and geographic diversification in UK civil engineering.NewcivilengineerStrabag UK acquires Van Elle Holdings, valuing the company at £58.8MStrabag UK acquired Van Elle, a UK geotechnical contractor, at 52.3 pence per share, valuing the company at £58.8M. The deal includes a 58.5% premium to Van Elle's closing share price on April 8. Van Elle has delivered over 1,000 projects in the past financial year.