The aim is to strengthen the finances of the UK parent company.
M&E contractor Hotchkiss, which specialises in air conditioning ductwork, has annual worldwide sales of more than £40m. Current projects include Tate Modern, the Crossrail station at Canary Wharf, Heathrow Terminal 2A, 20 Fenchurch Street and Fitzroy House, all in London.
In the US, its fire-resistant ductwork systems have been installed in high-rise commercial and residential buildings, museums, hospitals, research facilities, hotels and banks.
Hotchkiss Group managing director Giles Woolley said: “With the UK construction market still very challenging, the sale of our US operation will increase the financial strength of the group. We will continue to be involved by providing a development programme for new products for the US market. We will also continue our general development programme and expansion into other overseas markets.”
The Hotchkiss Group has been based in Eastbourne where it was formed in 1885. The business passed into the ownership of the Ohly family in 1951, with current chairman Michael Ohly joining the company in 1971.
Its expansion into structural steelwork, architectural metalwork and ultimately sheet metal led to its specialisation in ductwork contracting. Over the years, the group has diversified into related specialist areas.
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