6 Nov 2026Astra's First Step Beyond the UK
Astra Holding Group is delighted to announce the acquisition of Regional Electrical Maintenance Ltd ("REM"), a specialist provider of electronic security and automated gate systems based in Ashbourne, Co. Meath, Ireland.
Founded in 2001 and built around a skilled team of engineers, REM has earned a reputation for technical depth, responsiveness and long-standing customer relationships.
This acquisition is a milestone for Astra in two respects. It is our sixth operating company, and it is our first acquisition outside the United Kingdom. REM joins Interdoor, Acorn MPS, AB Key, J Manny and DNH Construction deepening our capabilities in access and security systems while establishing Astra's presence in the Irish market.
Ireland is a natural extension of our strategy. It is a market with the same fundamentals that drew us to the UK built environment: strong underlying demand, a large base of excellent owner-managed businesses approaching succession, and relatively few long-term homes for them to go to. We intend for REM to be the first of several Irish acquisitions, not the only one.
Preserving Legacy, Driving Growth
Astra's model is built on a simple conviction: that the best thing you can do for a great business is give it long-term, patient ownership. We are permanent owners who believe that continuity of brand, team and culture is the foundation on which sustainable growth is built. REM will continue to operate under its own name, from its own premises, with its own team.
We are delighted that James Tunnah will continue to lead REM as Managing Director. James knows this business and this market better than anyone, and he has the ambition to take REM significantly further. Our job is to back him with capital, with the shared experience of five other operating companies, and with the patience to let good decisions compound.
In Their Own Words
James Tunnah, Managing Director of REM, commented:
"What stood out about Astra was that they weren't buying REM to change it. They understood that our engineering standards, our response times and our relationships are the business. Their backing means we can go after the growth we've seen here for years — same team, same work, with a lot more behind us”
Andrew Kilgallen and Andrew Murphy of Erisbeg, shareholders of REM, added:
"This is a great outcome for all parties. James and his team have built REM into a business with real strength in its market, and he is energised about what comes next. Astra's long-term approach makes them the right home for it, and we look forward to watching REM grow to the next level under their ownership."
Amit Rai and Sergey Sushentsev, Co-Founders of Astra Holding Group, commented:
"REM is exactly the kind of business we set out to find: a specialist that has earned its position through technical quality and reliability. We are proud to become its long-term home, and delighted that James will continue to lead it. Ireland has been on our map for some time, and REM is the right business to begin with."
Looking Ahead
Astra will work closely with James and the wider REM team to support continued growth across Ireland, deepen existing customer relationships, and invest in the systems and capacity that will define the next phase of the business. REM will also benefit from the shared experience of Astra's existing access and security businesses in the UK and, in turn, has a great deal to teach them.
We remain committed to partnering with outstanding SMEs in the UK and Ireland — businesses built over decades, facing succession, and deserving of a long-term home. If you are a business owner, adviser or lender working with a business that fits that profile, we would welcome a conversation.
Contact us at contact@astraholding.com or check out our referral Scout program.
About Astra Holding Group
Astra Holding Group is a permanent-capital holding company and the long-term home for small and medium-sized businesses in the UK and Ireland. Astra acquires controlling stakes in profitable B2B industrial businesses, keeps their names, teams and leadership in place, and backs them with capital, shared experience and patience to grow over decades. Its portfolio comprises Interdoor, Acorn MPS, AB Key, J Manny, DNH Construction and REM. www.astraholding.com
About REM
Founded in 2001 and based in Ashbourne, Co. Meath, Regional Electrical Maintenance Ltd (REM) installs, maintains and provides emergency call-out cover for automatic gates, doors and traffic barriers, car park systems and bollards, turnstiles, access control and CCTV. REM serves commercial and residential clients, mainly across Leinster. www.rem-ltd.com
