T Clarke has purchased two electrical contracting companies in quick succession to add to its regional portfolio.
The London-based company bought Kent contractor W E Manin for £1.55 million on 19 April. It then followed up with the purchase of West Midlands contractor Kestrel Electrical Systems in early May.

W E Manin, based in Sittingbourne, Kent, employs 60 staff. The company made a profit of £354 000 on a turnover of £4.26 million in the year ending 31 December 2001.

Kestrel Electrical Systems employs 13 staff and reported pretax profits of £159 000 on a turnover of £680 000 to the year ending 31 January 2002.

Speaking at the company's annual general meeting on 3 May, chairman Russell Race predicted that the current workloads would remain: "The year has started well. The general level of enquires has remained at a favourable pitch and I am confident of a satisfactory outcome for the year."