AN engineering giant in Trafford has announced its latest acquisition - a Cheshire-based supplier of industrial hoses.

The Bowdon Group has acquired Sandbach based Holmes Hose, which provides a range of oil and marine hoses, along with industrial hoses and related fittings.

Bosses say that all of the current staff at the outfit will be retained, following the acquisition, and the group will be looking to expand operations in future.

Brian Benson, the Hale engineering support group's chief executive, said: "Bowdon Group prides itself on supporting businesses in the North West to realise growth ambitions and back entrepreneurial spirit.

"Holmes Hose has a long-standing relationship with our businesses and there is a fantastic opportunity here to integrate and share services across the group."

The directors of Holmes Hose, which was first established in 1980, have also welcomed the development.

Stuart Holmes, one of the directors, added: "It's an exciting time for Holmes Hoses, with the backing of Bowdon Group we can achieve our growth plans and increase the range of our product and service offering.

"Fellow director Richard Greenhill and I, are looking forward to working closely with Bowdon Group to take the business to the next level."

Mr Greenhill and Mr Holmes will continue to play an active role in the business following the move.

Bowdon already has a significant presence in mid-Cheshire, with Skelair International based in nearby Manor Lane, Holmes Chapel.

The parties say the deal will allow Holmes Hose to expand and diversify its product range and target new sectors in future.

Earlier this year Bowdon, which was first established in 2008, also swooped for Interface Contracts, an Oldham-based electrical engineering business, which specialises in water to energy biomass projects and supplying related products across the water industry.

In a similar move to the Holmes Hose deal, managing director David Taylor and operations director Paul Mullender stayed on to provide continuity, with a new finance director, Mike Brodrick, also installed.

The company, with a turnover of £20million and a workforce of 60, often sees its ranks swelled by a further 100 staff, undertaking work across the UK.

Insiders said that buyout would increase Bowdon's capacity to deliver major projects.

The group has also recently taken on Ian Strong as a new managing director for Bowdon Services, their electrical and mechanical engineering arm.