BGF sinks investment into Halifax bathroom manufacturer

A Halifax-based designer, manufacturer and distributor of bathroom fixtures and fittings has received a significant investment from Business Growth Fund (BGF).

Ultra Finishing will use the funding for product development, expansion into new markets and to accelerate organic growth.

Founded in 1981, Ultra Finishing manufacturers, sources and distributes a range of bathroom products to online and high-street retailers, builders’ and plumbers’ merchants and other trade partners.

Generating £60m turnover in 2016, the company currently employs more than 350 people. Ultra Finishing has been led by CEO Dave Cullen and commercial director Tony Woods since 2014.

Ultra Finishing is a member of the ‘Made in Britain’ scheme, producing bespoke bathroom furniture, shower trays, taps and valves from its manufacturing site in Halifax.

BGF’s funding will be used to support the manufacture of new products, the first of which will come to market in Spring/Summer 2017, and to target new growth opportunities in Europe and the US.

Following an introduction by BGF, the business has appointed Alan White as non-executive chairman. Alan has held non-executive roles at Topps Tiles, JD Sports, TM Lewin and was a former CEO of home shopping business, N Brown Group.

Dave Cullen, CEO of Ultra Finishing said: “After a strong 2016, we are in a good position to accelerate our growth plans for Ultra Finishing and expand our international presence.

“The business has built significant scale over the past 30 years, and I would like to thank Stephen Heys and the wider team for their efforts in helping the business get to where it is today.

“We are looking forward to the next stage of growth with BGF as our long term minority partner, and are pleased to be joining a number of growing businesses in Yorkshire that are backed by them.”

BGF’s Richard Taylor who will join the board of Ultra Finishing added: “Ultra Finishing is a great company, with the potential and opportunity to grow even further. Dave and his management team want to explore opportunities to expand into new markets and we are really pleased be providing the financial resources to support this.”

The investment was led for BGF by Richard Taylor, Barry Jackson and Rob Johnson.

Advisors to the transaction were Pinsent Masons, DSW and Tax Advisory Partnership for BGF, whilst Shulmans and CBF Capital acted on behalf of Ultra Finishing.

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