BGF invests £7m in Hobs Reprographics

The fresh capital will enable Hobs to open new studios as part of its plans to offer a UK-wide 3D printing service. Currently the business has two Hobs Studios sites, in London and Manchester.

Following completion of the deal, former Azian chief executive Peter Bertram will be appointed as non-executive chairman of Hobs.

The deal marks BGF’s fourth investment in northern England in Q4 2014. In December alone it has invested £5m in Aknwick-based home builder Cussins and £7.5m in J&B Recycling, a Hartlepool-based provider of waste collection, recovery and recycling services.

Company
Headquartered in Liverpool and founded in 1969, Hobs is a 3D printing company serving the architecture, construction, engineering and product design industries. Additionally, the business offers services related to animation, augmented reality and virtual reality. Its previous 3D contracts include the onside provision of 3D printing and architectural drawing services during the redevelopment of Wembley Stadium. Hobs has a headcount of around 300 across 29 offices and generates a turnover of around £30m.

People
Neil Inskip, senior investment manager at BGF, will take a seat on the board at Hobs. David Colclough also worked on the deal for the GP. Kieran O’Brien is chief executive of Hobs.

Advisers
Equity - Brabners (Legal); PwC (Corporate finance).
Company - Hill-Dickinson (Legal); Baker Tilly (Tax); Clearwater International (Corporate finance).

• Tweet  
• Facebook  
• LinkedIn  
• Google plus  
• Send to  

• Topics
• Expansion
• Support services
• UK / Ireland
• BGF (Business Growth Fund)
• United Kingdom