An £62m MBO of Metamark (UK) from founder shareholders Mark Bateson and Mike Stuart has been led by Paul French with Ian Simister and the senior management team and backed by private equity firm Primary Capital.
The intention is that the MBO will allow Metamark - a manufacturer and distributor of self-adhesive sign vinyl and digital print media - to invest in plant and equipment at both its Lancaster and Woking sites, whilst increasing its UK market share and looking for international expansion opportunities.
French, Simister and the senior management team have led the business for the last five years since the original owners backed away from the day-to-day operations. Over that period they have implemented projects resulting in a doubling revenue and profits.
French, CEO of Metamark, said: "We have some very exciting plans for Metamark. They will ensure that our growth continues on the upward trajectory we’ve established both in the UK and internationally. We have a planned programme of further investment in capital plant to strengthen our manufacturing and conversion and we’ll be investing in people too so we can strengthen our team and reinforce our international stature. We’re taking our model to new markets too. Our technical leadership and service led ethics mean we can achieve scale in markets such as construction while growing opportunities in our established channels with new, product-led applications."
Bateson added: “After many years of building the company based in an entrepreneurial style and culture it is important to us that this legacy prevails in the hands of a proven management team in terms of both capability and style, being working together and supporting the brand to the benefit of our customers, staff and suppliers. We are delighted to have found an investment partner in Primary who share our values.”