ADS acquires division of Severn Trent

Huntsville-based ADS LLC announced Wednesday it has purchased Severn Trent Pipeline Services, a division of Severn Trent Services.

The acquisition allows ADS, which develops flow measurement equipment and software, to broaden services it provides to wastewater collection and distribution systems. Severn Trent Pipeline Services provides specialized water distribution and sewer collection system analysis, pipeline and structure rehabilitation.

Terms of the sale were not disclosed.

"The addition of Severn Trent Pipeline Services to ADS will enable us to provide expanded field services and product offerings to our customers," said Karl Boone, ADS' president and chief executive officer.

ADS has 164 employees, and Severn Trent Pipeline Services has about 150 employees, said Cindy O'Gorman, an ADS spokeswoman.

Severn Trent Services, based in Port Washington, Penn., is a leading supplier of water and wastewater treatment solutions, with offices throughout the United States. It is part of London-based Severn Trent Plc.

ADS develops and provides technology-based products and services for the water, wastewater, and hydroelectric industries through two divisions, ADS Environmental Services and Accusonic Technologies.

Formerly ADS Corp., ADS was founded in 1975 by Ralph Petroff, his brothers Alan and Mark, and their father, Peter. The company expanded to have 55 offices in 12 countries, including three offices in Australia. ADS' two divisions, ADS Environmental Services and Accusonic Technologies, have conducted over 5,000 flow measurement projects in the firm's 31-year history and has customers in over 40 countries.

The company was purchased by Sweden-based Axel Johnson Group in 1995. Nova Technologies, an investment group, purchased ADS last November and maintains the company's headquarters in Huntsville.