Conder Structures links up with Allslade, a fellow steelwork player

Steelwork contractor Allslade has been bought by Melham Group. It becomes a sister to Conder Structures and will be rebranded as Conder Allslade.

Allslade, a Portsmouth-based company founded in 1984 by Roger and Sheila Slade, has fallen victim, after a period of rapid expansion, to the recent downturn in demand affecting constructional steelwork.

Specialist steelwork sub-contractors have been struggling since the third quarter of 2008.

Melham is owned by Nat Puri, an Indian entrepreneur and is based in Nottingham.

Puri confirmed that Conder Allslade will operate as an autonomous business sitting alongside Conder Structures, based in Burton-on-Trent.

As a result of the deal, Allslade, a member of the British Constructional Steelwork Association, will remain fully operational from its sites in Dundas Lane and Limberline Road, Portsmouth.

All 103 staff have been retained.

Allslade specialise in infrastructure projects including schools and hospitals. Its projects incorporate tubular structures, plate girders and truss steelwork.

Jason Hensman, managing director of Conder Structures said: "We will be supporting and assisting the management of the new business. However, though we will be operating as entirely separate companies, there are strong synergies available for both businesses to exploit."

Conder Allslade is currently erecting 29m span plated girders over the new 50m training pool for the 2012 London Olympics in Uxbridge for Leadbitter; and working for Wates in Long Martin, Soho, London, on two large refurbishment projects worth a combined £3m.

Melham was responsible for the rescue from the receivers of Conder Structures in 1991. It has subsequently growth to an annual turnover of £39m.