Employees take ownership of Dent Instrumentation

A newly-formed Employee Ownership Trust has acquired Dent Instrumentation from the founder's family.

The Colne-based company was launched by Geoffrey Dent and has become a world leader in yarn sensor design and manufacture.

Its sensors have become integral to production processes for blue chip textile machinery manufacturers around the world.

The sale to the Employee Ownership Trust ensures a smooth succession as well as the preservation of the company’s family values and the Dent Instrumentation name.

Andrew Dent said: "The success of Dent Instrumentation has been down to the dedication and talents of the whole team so putting it in their hands feels fantastic.

"It was also incredibly important to protect our heritage and way of working and I couldn’t think of anyone better to do that than the very people who helped to grow the business.”

PM+M, the Blackburn-based chartered accountancy, business advisory and financial planning group, provided tax, valuation, corporate finance and feasibility assessment advice.

Jim Akrill, consultant within PM+M’s corporate finance team, said: "Dent Instrumentation is a highly respected and long-established local manufacturing company so supporting them through this deal has been a privilege.

"The EOT structure will maintain the integrity of the business for years to come and we wish them all the best. I’m sure they will continue to thrive.”

Working with PM+M, a team from Brabners, led by employee ownership specialist Stephen Hadlow, provided legal advice to Dent and its employees.

Stephen Hadlow said: “The workforce at Dent Instrumentation is highly skilled and highly valued, so it was a key priority for the family that those jobs and the Dent culture be protected in the delivery of their succession plan.

"The transition to employee-ownership for Dent is a perfect solution and reflects the increasing number of owner-managed businesses we’re supporting across the UK that see the benefits of EO as an effective succession strategy.”