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Nottingham recruitment business Staffline has bought Peterborough company Taskforce for an undisclosed sum. Andy Hogarth, Staffline's chief executive, said he hopes to build on Taskforce's "strong regional presence".

Staffline has bought TFR Limited, which trades as Taskforce, and said the move is in line with its strategy of targeting "selective bolt-on acquisitions".

The outsourcing organisation said it hopes to carry out further deals to expand its customer base and broaden its revenue mix.

Set up in 1989, Taskforce provides temporary personnel to blue chip customers and local authorities throughout the East Midlands region.

It is managed through a network of four branch offices and employs up to 1,500 temporary personnel.

Andy Hogarth, Staffline's chief executive, said: "We are delighted to complete the acquisition of Taskforce, a business we have long since admired.

"We look forward to leveraging their strong regional presence and excellent knowledge base in the field of specialist driving and recruitment."

Taskforce works in a variety of industrial sectors including manufacturing, transport and logistics, public services and food. It has also built up a specialist driving division.

Staffline said it hopes to build on Taskforce's "solid customer relationships".

Earlier this month, Staffline reported a 45 per cent rise in turnover to £120m for the six months to 30 June. It also said pre-tax profit had increased 38 per cent to £2.9m.

Staffline said it was on course to meet full year market expectations, and put the success of the first half of the year down to the expansion of its 'Onsite' platform, as well as the acquisition of the former Fourstar business (now rebranded EOS).

It hopes that the acqusition of Taskforce will help it to further develop its Onsite product.

Staffline specialises in recruitment for the food processing, manufacturing, e-retail and logistics industries.

Baker Tilly in Birmingham advised on the sale. 

Baker Tilly's lead adviser Tom Gallop said: "We are delighted to have secured the sale of Taskforce Recruitment to Staffline. Taskforce is an outstanding business with strong client relationships and has been well run for many years."