Member Article

MBO for West Yorkshire filling machinery manufacturer

Advanced Dynamics, a Bradford-based business which manufactures automated filling and packaging machinery, has completed a Management Buyout (MBO) for an undisclosed sum, supported by a team of Yorkshire advisers.

Established in 2004, the company has developed a range of filling, capping and labelling machinery to support production lines across a variety of sectors. With over 100 years’ combined experience, Advanced Dynamics has established a reputation as a reliable packaging partner, working closely with customers to provide ongoing technical expertise in addition to supplying machinery.

The company has grown to be a £5.5m turnover business, employing 22 people from its Bradford head office and factory at 606 Industrial Park.

Malcolm Little, formerly managing director of Advanced Dynamics, has sold part of his shareholding in the business to sales director Tom Smith who takes on the position of managing director. Malcolm moves to the role of executive chairman, working alongside Tom to provide strategic advice as the business enters its second chapter of growth.

The Yorkshire advisers to Advanced Dynamics included a team from the Leeds office of international accountancy and advisory firm Mazars led by Arran Smedley and Alex Baskeyfield, M&A Deal Advisory. Sarah Harrison and Jonathan Simms from Clarion’s corporate team provided advice to the vendor.

Malcolm Little said: “Over the last 17 years, we have built up a business which is committed to putting customer care at the core of everything we do. From investing in expanding our premises and stock to creating a knowledgeable team able to meet even the most demanding specifications, we do all we can to be the most proactive and supportive business in the packaging industry.

“Having worked closely with Tom for more than five years, I am confident that he has the skills and ambition to drive the business forward as we continue to expand our range and move into new markets. He understands Advanced Dynamics and what our customers need, and has played a vital role in enabling us to exceed our target of growing turnover to £3m by 2020. I am looking forward to continuing to work with him in an advisory role as we target turnover growth to £10m over the next five years.”

Tom adds: “Advanced Dynamics has established a strong reputation in the packaging sector; having started by supplying labelling machinery, we expanded into filling and capping lines as automation increased. Our second chapter of growth will see us further extending our portfolio of machines in order to provide turnkey solutions in response to customers’ needs for bigger and more extensive production lines. Having previously worked in many of these areas, I am excited to be taking the business into new markets with Malcolm at my side.”

Arran Smedley of Mazars said: “It is great to be able to support such a fast growing and positive business to fulfil its funding needs, allowing it to implement the next chapter in its growth story. We were able to secure a flexible funding package that suited the business and the shareholders, and I wish Tom and Malcolm all the best in what I am sure will be a successful next phase.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Emma Kilmurray .