Bermuda Aviation Services and the CCS Group of companies ended the speculation on their interests in one another on Friday by announcing the two firms have merged, with financing provided by Butterfield Bank.

The merge became effective on March 31, according to a statement released through the Bermuda Stock Exchange at the end of the trading week.

And it comes in the wake of BAS acquiring Otis Bermuda last month.

“We look forward to embracing CCS into the BAS Group of Companies,” said Gene Bean, group president. “We strongly believe that the addition of CCS into our family of companies will compliment the services already provided across the group.

“This addition to the group, as well as our other most recent acquisition, Otis Bermuda, greatly assists in meeting our diversification goals and enhancing our facilities management services.” Don Mackenzie, chairman of New Venture Holdings, the owner of CCS Group, said: “Once we decided to restructure our investment in CCS Group, we undertook an extensive exercise to determine the appropriate potential partners.

“We are delighted that BAS will merge with CCS as they share our values in supporting the CCS team, providing for continued investment in the company and allowing CCS to continue to service its expanding customer base.

“The BAS Group and CCS are a great fit and this will benefit their customer bases greatly.”

The BAS group consists of Aircraft Services Bermuda, BAS-Serco, Crow Lane Bakery, International Bonded Couriers, Weir Enterprises, Otis Bermuda and now CCS.

CCS operates in the technology and communications sector with expertise in networking, infrastructure cabling, telephony, software application development/support and project management.