Trio at West Yorkshire manufacturer complete MBO

A West Yorkshire manufacturer has completed a management buy-out following backing from a group of organisations with growth capital provided through the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund (NPIF).

With financial backing from Business Enterprise Fund (BEF), working alongside ABN Amro, and support from accountants Wheawill and Sudworth with Ramsdens Solicitors; Darren Pearson, Dave Bennett and Steve Pitts have taken over Gee Graphite.

Based in Dewsbury, Gee Graphite manufactures graphite products including gaskets for the oil and gas industry, along with offering a subcontract Water Jet Cutting Service. The trio have been with the company for nearly 40 years between them.

Following the MBO, Gee Graphite approached BEF for further funding through NPIF – BEF & FFE Microfinance, part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund, to support the business’s growth plans, including the creation of two new jobs.

Darren said: “There’s already scope to streamline our processes, allowing us to compete for further contracts. Gee Graphite’s core offering is very specialist and has been honed for nearly 30 years – with this competitive advantage, we can take the business to the next level.

“Gee Graphite was actually the first to implement water cutting technology in the UK. We want to continue being ahead of the curve as we move the business forward.”

John Hall of Business Enterprise Fund and James Elliott of ABN Amro assisted with the purchasing of the business and finance.

John explained: “It’s a pleasure to be involved with another well-established business. We could see a big ambition to grow the business, but a need for capital to facilitate it.

“By working with James from ABN Amro we’ve been able to make the MBO possible and together with the follow on growth finance through NPIF, there’s a positive outlook for the year ahead and it’s been a great start to the year for the company.”

David Butterworth of Wheawill and Sudworth Chartered Accountants helped build the proposal for the deal.

David added: “It has been rewarding to have helped the MBO Team acquire the business and to focus it for growth and development during 2018 and beyond.”

Richard Dean of Ramsdens Solicitors, based in Huddersfield, represented the business throughout the process.

Richard concluded: “We are delighted to have supported this transaction, which allows Gee Graphite to continue growing the business with the new board of directors whilst retaining continuity in both its management team and service offering.”

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