Metflex acquired by global technology group Freudenberg

Great Harwood-based Metflex Holding Company Limited has been acquired by global technology group, Freudenberg, in a deal that will see it become part of its international Sealing Technologies division.

Metflex, which ranks in this year's Lancashire Business View Hot 100, specialises in the manufacture and supply of precision moulded components, rubber seals and diaphragms across a global multi-industry customer base.

Shareholders and directors, Philip Rogerson and John Holland, will leave the company but managing director Dermot McCarthy and the current senior management team will remain.

Freudenberg is a globally active group of companies that has been under family ownership since it was founded in 1849. It is headquartered in Weinheim, South West Germany, and operates on a global scale across numerous markets.

Dermot McCarthy, managing director of Metflex, said: “The management team welcomes the technological expertise and solid financial strength of the Freudenberg Group and looks forward to the long-term development of the Company’s products and markets with renewed energy."

“With this acquisition, we are strengthening our established businesses in general industry with additional innovative technical solutions,” said Freudenberg Group CEO, Dr. Mohsen Sohi.

The management team at Metflex was supported by accountancy and advisory firm, CLB Coopers, part of the Baldwins Group, with David Travis and Rob Richardson from its Corporate Finance team and Rob Wardle and Simon Denye from its Tax team assisting in the transaction. Legal advice was provided to Metflex and the selling shareholders by Pinsent Masons, with assistance from Andrew Senior and Catherine Hemsworth from its Corporate team and Andrew McCarthy from its Tax team, each based in Pinsent Masons' Leeds office. Martin Smith of Spearing Waite LLP acted for Freudenberg.