United Tooling Solutions targets UK-growth with £10m funding from Shawbrook Bank

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  • Leading industrial supplies and consumables distributor United Tooling Solutions (“UTS”) targets further national growth in West Midlands, North West, and Central Scotland
  • Ambitious management team seeking to make three simultaneous acquisitions to rapidly build existing franchise of six separate locations
  • £10m ABL facility provided by Shawbrook despite the UK being on lockdown in the midst of Covid-19
  • Breeze Corporate Finance led the fund raising on the project

NEWS RELEASE: Tuesday, June 23rd, 2020

 

United Tooling Solutions Ltd (UTS), a wholesaler of industrial tools and tooling equipment, is targeting significant growth across the UK thanks to funding from Shawbrook Bank.

The Exeter-based trading subsidiary of national buying group, Troy (UK) Limited, is aiming to increase its operations through multiple acquisitions.

UTS’ unique proposition incorporates broad-line industrial supplies distribution with inventory management, as well as bespoke design and manufacture services for special tooling. 

It has secured a £10 million funding facility from Shawbrook as it looks to expand the business – specifically its distribution network – into the West Midlands, North West and Central Scotland.

The company already has six sites across the UK, including Bedford, Bristol, Bridgend, Derby, Devon and Dorset, and additionally has a comprehensive online operation.

The acquisitions of Barnes JB Ltd in Lancashire, ABT Machine Tools & Tooling Ltd in Glasgow and Kalem Ltd in the West Midlands will increase UTS’ footprint by 50% as they grow from 6 to 9 trading locations.

Dave Jackson, Managing Director at UTS, said: “Although a relatively young organisation, we have a solid footprint already in the UK but are ambitious for this business and are looking to expand through acquisition across the country.

“After identifying a number of strategic sites, our key goal was to find a funder that would not only be capable and willing to finance three simultaneous acquisitions, but also provide us with confidence that they’d have appetite to support our business and growth plans in the future.

“Shawbrook quickly became that funder. They bought into our plans immediately, could see the potential of the business and the areas we were targeting and supported us completely from the off.

“The funding facility they put together, together with the guidance and support they’ve so far given us, demonstrates to us that Shawbrook are the right funder to get UTS to where we want it to be – starting with these three acquisitions, which will grow our national footprint by 50%.”

Paul Kilbride, CEO of Troy (UK) Ltd, said: “Supporting our subsidiaries is a critical part in the overall growth plan of Troy Group.

“This project will see a number of complementary businesses being vertically integrated into the wider group, adding to the success and size of the UTS’ business as well as providing the overall Group with outstanding opportunity for further growth.

“We are excited by these acquisitions and believe they offer great value and further growth opportunity which fits in with the overall Troy Group business plan.”

The funding facility – a tailored Asset-Based Lending package incorporating confidential invoice discounting, inventory and property facilities – was agreed in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic with the country on lockdown.

Steve Armstrong, Relationship Director at Shawbrook, said: “We take great pleasure in being able to support ambitious businesses with great potential and strong leadership – and UTS is another great example.

“The ABL facility we’ve put in place will allow UTS to complete simultaneous acquisitions in three strategic areas. These acquisitions will help to grow the Group by 50% and provide it with an extended footprint across the UK.

“What was also pleasing about this deal was that it was delivered successfully in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic while the country was still in lockdown. For us, this not only demonstrates the strength of the UTS management team and their strategy, but is also a great example of how we’re not just open for business but determined to get the finance in place when it matters most – in spite of the current logistical challenges and uncertainties.”

He added: “This is a critical next step in the development of the UTS business and we are excited to be supporting them on their journey.”  

Breeze Corporate Finance led the fund raising, with UTS being advised by Paul Bevan and Nigel Winkett.

https://www.shawbrook.co.uk/direct/business-finance/asset-finance/


Joe O'Brien
Corporate Communications and PR Manager
01277897488 OR 07585104961
joseph.o'brien@shawbrook.co.uk

About Shawbrook Bank

Shawbrook is a specialist UK savings and lending bank founded in 2011 to serve the needs of SMEs and individuals in the UK with a range of lending and saving products. We are a growing UK specialist bank that challenges the conventional approach of the mainstream banks, with our thoughtful and good-sense approach to the way we do business.

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Quotes

The funding facility they put together, together with the guidance and support they’ve so far given us, demonstrates to us that Shawbrook are the right funder to get UTS to where we want it to be – starting with these three acquisitions, which will grow our national footprint by 50%.
Dave Jackson, Managing Director at UTS
We are excited by these acquisitions and believe they offer great value and further growth opportunity which fits in with the overall Troy Group business plan.
Paul Kilbride, CEO of Troy (UK) Ltd
What was also pleasing about this deal was that it was delivered successfully in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic while the country was still in lockdown. For us, this not only demonstrates the strength of the UTS management team and their strategy, but is also a great example of how we’re not just open for business but determined to get the finance in place when it matters most – in spite of the current logistical challenges and uncertainties.
Steve Armstrong, Relationship Director at Shawbrook