Compass Group North America Acquires SSC Service Solutions

WAYNE, Pa., June 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Compass Group North America, through its operating company, Crothall Services Group, of Wayne, PA, announced the completion of its acquisition of Knoxville, Tennessee-based Southeast Service Corporation (d/b/a SSC Service Solutions), a provider of contract cleaning services operating in the kindergarten to grade 12, higher education, and business & industry sectors.  The transaction was finalized on Monday, June 7, 2010.

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"We are excited about this key acquisition, which will give us an immediate foothold in the education market," said Crothall's CEO Bobby Kutteh.  "We are convinced that the quality service provided by SSC will be a strong addition to our growing support service business and a significant complement to Compass' food service offering in this particular market.  In addition, SSC's presence in business venues will broaden our current support service offering in the business & industry sector.  SSC has a strong management team with a proven track record of success.  We are certain they will add great value to our team," said Kutteh.

Founded in 1969 by Baxter Lee, SSC Service Solutions is made up of over 6,500 employees providing cleaning services through specialized divisions including: K-12, college & universities, and business & industry.  SSC has over 1,000 clients in 36 states, with its corporate headquarters in Knoxville, TN.  Operations will continue to be performed under the SSC name with SSC management.

"We have worked very hard over the years to build the best housekeeping company in education and the other industries we serve," said Don Williams, SSC Service Solutions President & CEO. "Our loyal customers see the value we provide and the quality of work we perform.  We are honored to have been selected to join Compass Group, one of the leading support services company in the world, which already has a stellar name in food services within education.  This relationship will create growth opportunities for our employees, expand our capabilities for existing customers, and open up new doors through additional service offerings."

For information about Compass Group, Crothall Services Group, Southeast Service Corporation, or details of the acquisition, please contact Bart Kaericher, Senior Vice President, Sales & Marketing, Crothall Services Group, at 610-576-5152.

About Compass Group North America

Based in Charlotte NC, Compass Group North America is the leading foodservice and support services company in the United States with $9.2 billion in revenues in 2009. With 386,000 associates worldwide, its parent company, UK-based Compass Group PLC had revenues of over $19 billion in the year to September 30, 2009.  

About Crothall Services Group

Crothall Services Group is a premier provider of support services to the healthcare, education, and business & industry sectors in the United States.  Crothall serves more than 1,500 customers across the US, employs and manages over 30,000 people, and leads the industry with an average customer retention rate of over 99%. Crothall's service offerings, through its Crothall Healthcare, Eurest Services, and SSC Service Solutions subsidiaries include Janitorial and Environmental Services, Laundry & Linen, Patient Transportation, Clinical Equipment Services, and Facilities Management. www.crothall.com

SOURCE Compass Group North America