The Bradford-based Controlled Demolition Group has consolidated its UK position with the acquisition of competitor Nottingham Explosives.

The demolition company this week signed a deal to buy the Nottingham firm for an undisclosed six-figure sum. It is the first business acquisition by the company since a management buy-out last November signalled the start of a major expansion era under new managing director Darren Palin.

It also secures the expertise of Nottingham Explosives' owner Phillip Lowe for the award-winning firm. Mr Palin said: "Huge demand for our work means we have been keen to expand our team, but there is a shortage of quality explosives engineers coming through in the industry. This has led to us launching our own in-house training scheme to ensure we have the expertise we need.

"In Phillip, we have one of the most experienced senior explosives engineers in the country, second only to our own Mick Williams. We are delighted to have him on board."

Having learned explosives techniques from his father Barry - a former SAS member and a founder of the Explosives Engineers' Institute - Mr Lowe joined the family explosives firm in 1981. While the majority of his firm's work involved explosive demolition of industrial structures such as chimneys and defunct power stations, recent memorable challenges include bringing down a steel warehouse in Iceland, 20-storey tower blocks in Birmingham and a 125-year-old viaduct at Leicester.

The firm has also successfully carried out hazardous underwater excavations in its 38-year history.

Mr Lowe, 37, said: "Nottingham Explosives demolished more than 3,000 structures but now my father has retired. The deal with Controlled allows me to carry on work I have loved since being a teenager as well as giving me the opportunity to work on a wider international market as part of a record-breaking team."

Controlled Demolition Group is currently generating a turnover in excess of £15m.