Helsinki, Finland 20 July 2012 -- As a result of a strategic review, UPM has decided to sell the UPM Tilhill Landscape and Arboricultural businesses.

The sale of these two business streams will allow UPM Tilhill to focus their attentions solely on strengthening their forestry and wood sourcing activities in the UK and Europe.

UPM Tilhill is therefore pleased to announce that the new owners of the Landscaping and Arboriculture businesses are Ground Control Ltd, an award-winning commercial landscaping company based in Essex. 

It has been mutually agreed by both parties not to disclose the purchase price.

Steve Lavery, Managing Director, UPM Tilhill said: “We are delighted about the announcement and are confident that Ground Control Ltd are the ideal company to develop and take the businesses forward.”

Simon Morrish, Chief Executive Officer, Ground Control Ltd said: “As a national company dedicated to landscaping and grounds maintenance, Tilhill’s Landscaping and Utility divisions fit perfectly with our strategy and core business. We would like to offer a warm welcome to the UPM Tilhill staff and look forward to a successful future for the Landscaping and Arboriculture businesses”.

The priorities for the management teams from both UPM Tilhill and Ground Control Ltd will be to ensure full continuity of service to customers and suppliers in addition to a smooth transition for the 160 staff affected by the sale.

The sale will also see UPM Tilhill fully aligning with UPM’s ‘Biofore’ business objectives therefore enabling full utilisation of the parent company’s significant resources and support in the future development of UPM Tilhill.

UPM Tilhill is the UK’s largest timber harvesting and forest management company operating through a network of strategically placed offices throughout Great Britain. The company provides a full range of consultancy and contracting services to the forest owner and forestry investor. After the sale of the Landscaping and Arboriculture Businesses to Ground Control, UPM Tilhill employs approximately 190 people. Further information is available on the company’s website at: www.upm-tilhill.com

UPM leads the integration of the bio and forest industries into a new, sustainable and innovation-driven future. UPM’s products are made of renewable raw materials and are recyclable. UPM consists of three Business Groups: Energy and Pulp, Paper, and Engineered materials. The Group employs around 24,000 people and has production plants in 16 countries. UPM's annual sales exceed EUR 10 billion. UPM's shares are listed on the Helsinki stock exchange.
UPM – The Biofore Company – www.upm.com

Ground Control initially established itself as a grounds maintenance specialist nearly 40 years ago. Since then, significant growth has come from winning large contracts with major national companies such as Tesco, B & Q and Royal Mail to name but a few.

Diversification has been the key to success and the company is now regarded as an award winning commercial landscaping company.

Outstanding service delivery has been the linchpin of the business which today means the company can boast an overall 99.2% annual client site retention figure along with a healthy and consistent 20% annual growth rate.