Middlesbrough-based civil engineering group Applebridge has added Hughes Bros Construction and JIG Drainage to its growing portfolio of North East and Yorkshire contractors. The move strengthens Applebridge's housebuilding and specialist drainage engineering capability, following a period of expansion that has taken the group into the Midlands and North West of England.

Applebridge's annual turnover has increased from £100 million in 2023 to £160 million in 2025 as the civil engineering group has expanded its footprint and service offering. The Applebridge Family now comprises nine construction companies, delivering ground investigation, earthworks, plant hire, civil engineering, multi-utilities, building services and road surfacing.

Darlington-based Hughes Bros Construction has more than 30 years' engineering experience supporting the housebuilding sector across the North East and Yorkshire. The contractor works with developers including Barratt Homes, Bellway and Avant Homes, delivering groundworks, roads and sewers engineering for residential developments across both regions.

Sister company JIG Drainage provides drainage engineering services including drain clearing, CCTV surveys, resin patch repairs, sewer maintenance and drainage infrastructure works. Operating across the North East and Yorkshire, it supports customers in the construction, commercial and property sectors.

Both companies will retain their existing names and engineering teams while becoming part of the wider Applebridge Family, gaining access to the group's broader technical expertise and resources.

Gary Hughes, of Hughes Bros Construction, said: "Joining the Applebridge Family marks an exciting new chapter for both Hughes Bros and JIG Drainage." Hughes added: "Over the last 30 years, we have built strong businesses, trusted client relationships and an excellent reputation within our sectors, and becoming part of the wider group creates a fantastic platform for future growth."

The structural driver is the need for integrated civil engineering and drainage capability to support sustained housebuilding delivery across the North East and Yorkshire, as developers increasingly favour contractor groups able to deliver groundworks, drainage and infrastructure engineering under one structure.

For the sector, the addition of Hughes Bros and JIG Drainage extends Applebridge's engineering capability into specialist drainage work, adding to a group that already spans ground investigation, multi-utilities and road surfacing engineering across residential, commercial and infrastructure projects.

Source: bdaily.co.uk / linkedin.com