Bradford's Airedale Group acquires South Coast Catering

Commercial kitchen specialist The Airedale Group has completed the acquisition of Weymouth-based South Coast Catering.

South Coast, which employs over 85 people, provides reactive and planned maintenance services to many national and regional clients and has more recently diversified into laundry, light equipment and scheme work.

HSBC’s West Yorkshire team provided funding to support the acquisition, in a deal managed on behalf of the bank by Relationship Director Adam Kelly.

In addition to providing finance for the acquisition, the company has moved its full business banking to HSBC.

The funding has been allocated from HSBC’s £200 million SME Fund specifically for companies in West Yorkshire.

The acquisition will see Bradford-headquartered Airedale combine its Technical Services division with South Coast’s established maintenance business.

The enlarged Group will employ a network of over 70 specialist catering engineers, positioning the Group as one of the largest independent service operators in the UK catering industry.

Rob Bywell, CEO of Airedale, added: “It is fantastic news for our business that Alex and his team have agreed to join the Airedale family.

“We are excited to be working with like-minded people who have built a successful business by focusing on providing its customers with a great experience.

“HSBC’s support of this transaction was fantastic and we couldn’t have asked for a more understanding bank.”

HSBC’s Adam Kelly said: “Airedale is typical of the forward-thinking, innovative and ambitious companies we are seeing across West Yorkshire at the moment.

“This acquisition significantly expands the group, giving it national exposure.

“As the economy continues to recover, we are seeing more businesses looking to invest and HSBC is keen to support.

“I am impressed by the strength of Airedale’s management team and its business model, and HSBC is delighted to enable the next stage of its overall business strategy.”