Macclesfield engineering firm Statiflo sees MD acquire majority stake

Cheshire-based engineering firm Statiflo International has been taken over by its managing director.

Gareth Fry snapped up a majority stake in the company, which designs equipment for the water, oil and gas industries, for an undisclosed sum.

Statiflo was wholly owned by its chairman and chief exec John Baron, who founded the company over 30 years ago in the spare bedroom of his Wilmslow home.

As part of the deal, Gareth acquired a 70% stake while John will retain 30% and remain on board in the role of chairman.

Gareth, who joined the Macclesfield-headquartered company in 2008 as a sales manager, said: “I’ve spent my entire career involved in the design and supply of process-related equipment. I’m passionate about the products and the benefits they bring to the world’s process industries.

“This deal secures the future of a very successful global business.”

He added: “I am looking forward to maintaining and developing, in particular, our very strong position in the global water industry and continuing our growth in the oil and gas sector.”

Statiflo currently employs a team of 23 and has an annual revenue in excess of £4m. The firm’s static mixers and other pieces of chemical process equipment are used in over 80 countries.

Chairman John Baron commented: “I have reached the stage where I am ready to hand over the reins, and Gareth is the ideal successor.

“He is extremely knowledgeable and experienced, and I’m confident that Statiflo will continue to thrive under his leadership.”

A team from North West accountancy firm HURST led by chief exec Tim Potter, working alongside partner Paul Brown and assistant manager Rachel Jackson, advised on the transaction.

Commenting on the deal, Tim said: “Statiflo is a great business, and we have been proud to advise the company over many years.

“It is always rewarding to help an entrepreneurial team whose primary focus is to export high-tech engineering – this is precisely the type of business our economy needs.

He continued“John has built a strong and successful international business and should be proud of his achievements. Gareth and his succession team are highly talented and have a great vision. We look forward to helping them on their journey.“

Chris Dunn and Nicholas Emmerson, of national law firm Gateley, provided advice during the takeover.

Now at the helm of the business, Gareth has appointed a new global sales and marketing director, Ron Russ, to drive his growth plans forward.