Preston-based Valuechain.com to create jobs following Surrey acquisition

Lancashire-based manufacturing software company Valuechain.com is creating 10 new jobs after snapping up Tricorn Systems, a software company in Surrey.

Valuechain.com completed the acquisition with the help of a six-figure loan from Rosebud Finance, Lancashire County Council’s SME lending company.

The transaction is the first in a series of upcoming acquisitions for Preston-headquartered Valuechain.com, which now plans to retain Tricorn’s workforce and integrate its shopfloor data-capture software into its own systems.

The brainchild of Tom Dawes and Haifeng Guo, Valuechain.com was founded in 2010 as a result of the pair’s PhD research conducted at the University of Liverpool.

CEO Tom said of the deal: “Tricorn really understand manufacturing SMEs and have developed a very loyal client base through continuous innovation and excellent service.

“By joining forces, we can immediately offer Tricorn clients additional productivity improvement solutions and a collaborative platform to connect with their supply chain partners.”

He continued: “This is the first of several acquisitions we are planning to consolidate niche technology companies servicing the manufacturing SME sector and we are really excited about the journey we have started.

“We plan to build on this core infrastructure to scale up our operations in the UK and overseas through strategic global partnerships.”

Valuechain.com’s systems are created to help businesses increase productivity and work better with suppliers. Today it is used by automaker Bentley Motors and aircraft Bombardier Aerospace, as well as hundreds of manufacturer SMEs.

Rosebud Finance is managed by business loans and venture capital firm Enterprise Ventures on behalf of the county council’s economic development company, LCDL.

Paul Taberner, an investment director at Enterprise Ventures, said: “Advanced manufacturing software is key to improving the competitiveness of industry.

“Valuechain.com’s buy and build strategy aims to make it a leading force in the market by bringing together companies with complementary products and building a pool of expertise.”

Law firms Brabners LLP and Myerson and business advisors CLB Coopers provided Valuechain.com with legal and commercial advisory services during the transaction, while Tricorn was advised by law firm Bond Clarke.

Lancashire County Council’s head of business growth, Andy Walker, said: “Rosebud is keen to support home-grown companies and attract high-quality firms into Lancashire.

“We’re pleased that we are once again able to support ValueChain. It’s always a strong endorsement of us when a company returns to Rosebud to support their ambitions to grow their business and create high-value jobs.”

He added: “Our aim is to help companies like Valuechain to widen their global reach from their headquarters right here in the county, thanks to the support they receive and the many positive aspects that make Lancashire such a great base for business.”

Looking to promote your product/service to SME businesses in your region? Find out how Bdaily can help →