YFM supports MBO of Wakefield Acoustics

Amy King
18 December 2014

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YFM Equity Partners has backed the ТЃ4m management buyout of Wakefield Acoustics, an acoustic engineering business.

Following the deal, the company intends to broaden its product range, consolidate its two existing manufacturing sites into one, larger site in 2015, and boost sales.

As part of the deal, Lee Nicholson, who has 12 years' experience at the firm, becomes managing director. Chris Brown, current chairman of Thermal Energy Ventures, joins as non-executive chairman. The firm's founder and previous owner Jane Dawson will remain on board.

Sentio Partners introduced the deal to YFM.

Company
Based in Cleckheaton, Bradford, Wakefield Acoustics designs, manufactures and installs a range of industrial and environmental noise control systems. Founded in 1980, the business counts blue chip engineering businesses among its clients.

People
Ian Waterfield, investment director at YFM in Yorkshire, worked on the deal for the GP.

Advisers
Equity – Irwin Mitchell, Paul Johnson, Sandip Khroud (Legal); Dow Schofield Watts, Rob McCarthy (Financial due diligence); Smith & Williamson, Patrick Allan (Tax).
Management – Sentio Partners, Andy Miller (Corporate finance); Taylors Solicitors, Stephen Jarman (Legal).