Based in Runcorn, North West Roller Services  manufactures a range of consumable items for the print industry and employs 30 people. Tony McDonough reports

Liverpool city region manufacturer North West Roller Services (NWRS) has undergone a management buyout funded by a £1.5m equity investment.

Based in Runcorn, NWRS manufactures a range of consumable items for the flexographic, gravure and lamination industries. The buyout has been led by sales manager Barry Dodgson.

Its products include rubber covered cylinders and sleeves, manufactured fibreglass sleeves and laser engraved printing sleeves and cylinders used for the printing of food packaging, decorative wallpaper, textiles and security print.

Established in 1990, the business now employs 30 people. Mr Dodgson secured £1.5m for the deal from MSIF’s, AFM-managed, Merseyside Loan and Equity Fund alongside a debt package from ThinCats.

It follows the retirement of the previous shareholders and will see non- executive director Nick Owen join the board alongside Mr Dodgson, who will become managing director. The management team have plans to significantly increase revenue levels and are targeting export markets as well as new product offerings to do so. 

Corporate finance advice was provided by Paula McGrath and Dan Rice of Brabners Deal Advisory, who sourced and negotiated the deal with the vendors. They with the NWRS management team to structure the transaction and raise a substantial financial package to support the deal. 

Daniel Hayhurst at Brabners provided legal advice to the buyout team. Legal advice for AFM was provided by David Carr at Napthens, and Moore and Smalley (Stephen Gregson) provided financial due diligence support. 

Mr Dodgson said: “I believe this is a fantastic opportunity for the business to expand and grow especially with the added support and backing from MSIF, Brabners and ThinCats. I look forward to working closely with them over the coming years.

“We have a great workforce and a strong customer base; we now have to look forward to expanding our presence both here in the UK and further into the export market.”

Paula McGrath added: “We are delighted to have advised Nick and Barry to deliver an MBO on an exciting and unique business which facilitated a full retirement for the existing shareholders. We are keen to see how the business evolves under the support and guidance of MSIF and Thin Cats.”