KHL Media, the privately-owned UK construction media specialist, has acquired 40% of recruitment consultant Blu Coal. The recruiter, which will be renamed Lawsons Recruitment (after founder and majority shareholder Nick Lawson), specialises in contract, permanent and executive jobs in the international construction market.
KHL, which was established in 1989, claims to be a world leader in construction information, events and media. Its brands include the magazines International Construction, International Cranes and Access International, and the Apex Show and the International Rental Exhibition. In 2018, the Sussex-based company had revenue of £9.9m, 35% up on 2017. It generated net cash of £900k.
The company employs more than 70 people and has subsidiaries across Europe, South America, the US, India, and Asia. Last year, it acquired the 84-year-old Wisconsin, US-based publisher Diesel & Gas Turbine Publication Group.
Managing director and principal shareholder James King has been involved in construction media for more than 35 years. KHL is an impressive example of a single-sector B2B specialist operating worldwide with magazines, newsletters, digital services, exhibitions, conferences, content marketing – and now recruitment services.
This latest investment should make many other B2B specialists consider recruitment and executive search as a business opportunity.
