March buys Quantum to expand its engineering services portfolio
7 July 2025 
The engineering services provider, March – formerly the Edwin James Group – has acquired Northumberland-based Quantum Controls (QC) and Q Electrical Industrial Services (QE), together known as Quantum. The move strengthens March’s ability to deliver critical asset care and maintenance services with a focus on energy efficiency and sustainability.
Quantum, established in 1989, is said to be the UK’s largest independent provider of turnkey projects in the design, installation and maintenance of VSD (variable-speed drives), panels and motors. It has customers in sectors including water utilities, manufacturing and infrastructure.
Quantum currently employs around 100 people. Its existing management team, led by managing director Dan Fitzsimons and supported by founder Kevin Brown, will remain in place, helping to ensure continuity for customers and employees.
March says that Quantum’s expertise is highly complementary to its own offerings, particularly in asset care, energy management and decarbonisation. It supports all major VSD brands.
The acquisition also strengthens March’s position in the water utility sector, supporting its ability to deliver engineering services under AMP 8 frameworks.
“Integrating Quantum into March expands our capabilities in servicing critical assets,” says March CEO, Christopher Kehoe. “Quantum’s broad capabilities and support for all major equipment brands align with March’s focus on energy-efficient, sustainable solutions, enhancing our asset care services, especially in sectors where downtime is costly.”
“This deal provides an opportunity for Quantum to accelerate growth and broaden our service offerings,” adds Quantum MD, Dan Fitzsimons. “As part of March, we can access additional resources and expand our reach while continuing to deliver the service our customers rely on.”
For Quantum’s founder, Kevin Brown, the acquisition, “marks an exciting new chapter for Quantum. With March supporting us, we’re in a great position to improve our services and drive future-focused innovation. Our businesses and teams complement each other perfectly, making March a great place for us to grow.”
March now has team of more than 1,300 people, and operates a network of 24 offices and service centres across the UK. It focuses on highly-regulated, asset-rich industries, offering them a single point of contact for managing assets in managing complex, environments, across their entire lifecycle.
In early 2024, the then Edwin James Group bought Burton-on-Trent-based Automated Control Solutions Holdings and its subsidiaries Automated Control Solutions and ACS Electrical Engineering (together trading as ACS), for an undisclosed sum.
Last September, Edwin James rebranded itself as March in a move aimed at supporting its growth ambitions, simplifying its market presence under a unified identity, while enhancing its ability to deliver complete engineering packages to customers in high-tech, complex, and regulated environments.
March: LinkedIn
