Skip to main content Brickability Group acquires HBS New Energies and UPOWA
HBS Group Southern announces today that leading building materials distributor Brickability Group has acquired renewable energy business HBS NE Limited and its trading names HBS New Energies and UPOWA.
The deal comes as the business has been busy preparing for the rapid growth in demand driven by updates to Part L and Part S of the Building Regulations and the anticipated mandate for smart EV charging points.
This acquisition will provide HBS New Energies with the investment needed to further expand its national solar PV, battery storage and electric vehicle charging installation services. Whilst the investment in UPOWA, will enable it to enhance and increase its specialist range of sustainable technology products that have been tailored to meet the needs of the housebuilding and construction industries.
Brickability’s strong market position in construction, along with its ability and capacity to scale and develop the business further, will help fast-track HBS NE Limited’s vision of becoming the sustainable energy service and product provider of choice for delivering zero-carbon homes and buildings.
HBS New Energies was established by the Bull family in 2008, to provide renewable energy services to the housebuilding industry in anticipation of rising demand for solar energy installation requirements. Led by James Bull, expansion into the construction, commercial and industrial, and public sectors later followed.
Today, HBS New Energies has numerous live projects nationwide and counts the UK’s major national housebuilders, housing associations, construction companies, water utilities and blue chips as their key customers. Its in-house team has designed and installed solar PV systems on more than 15,000 buildings including new homes, schools, civic buildings, hospitals, universities, manufacturing plants, distribution centres and water treatment sites.
James Bull and his team recognised a growing need for cost-effective, easy to install and scalable energy technologies that would simplify the specification process and help shape the future of sustainable housebuilding. To address this need UPOWA was created. With over 13 years of knowledge in the housebuilding and renewables industries, the UPOWA team has developed a specialist range of roof-integrated solar PV and electric vehicle charging products, designed to achieve compliance with current and future sustainability requirements.
Under the new ownership of Brickability Group, HBS New Energies and UPOWA will be perfectly positioned to provide a single source of sustainable technology services and products to help future-proof new homes and buildings as the UK targets net-zero.
The deal will see the businesses retain their existing management team, in-house design and operational departments, and skilled workforce teams, and will continue to be led by Founder and Managing Director, James Bull.
James Bull, Founder and Managing Director, HBS NE Limited commented:
“The last 13 years of organic growth have been an exciting journey and, whilst I am extremely proud of what my team has achieved, we are now focused on the next chapter.
I believe the acquisition by Brickability Group is a perfect fit for both parties. With Brickability’s resources, reputation, and strong customer base we can accelerate the expansion of our specialist services and UPOWA product offerings to prepare for the increasing demand from housebuilders and contractors, driven by changes to Building Regulations. For Brickability, this transaction will further enhance their customer offering as the construction industry prepares to deliver the nation’s zero-carbon homes and buildings.
We will also use our expertise to help address Brickability’s own sustainability goals, exploring onsite renewable generation and EV charging infrastructure opportunities across its estate.”
Alan Simpson, CEO, Brickability Group plc, said:
“We are delighted to announce the acquisition of HBS NE Limited.
As a market leader with a proven track record, we believe the acquisition of HBS NE Limited will further strengthen our strategic positioning within the wider market and enable us to expand into a new product segment.
We are excited about the opportunities for the business and look forward to welcoming and working alongside HBS NE Limited management and team of experts. Our new colleagues will help us to accelerate growth and product development, whilst also evaluating how we can implement its solutions across our existing divisions and throughout our supply chain.”
About Brickability Group
Brickability Group PLC is a leading construction materials distributor, serving customers across the UK and Europe for over 36 years through its national and local networks.
The company supplies over 500M bricks annually and has 41 locations across the country with over 500 employees.
Across its 4 divisions the group supplies bricks, roofing, timber, cladding, heating, flooring, doors, and windows to meet demand from both housebuilders and contractors.