Seating firm Evertaut acquired through MBO

Blackburn-based Evertaut has been passed on to the next generation through an MBO.

Husband-and-wife duo Christopher and Nicole Smalley have acquired Evertaut from his parents, Nigel and Gail, for an undisclosed sum.

Evertaut was established in the 1930s as a manufacturer of industrial furniture for factories and offices. Today it designs, manufactures and installs specialist seating at locations including football stadiums, theatres, cinemas and university lecture theatres. Cased on the Shadsworth Business Park in Blackburn, it employs 16 staff and turns over £1.6m.

Recent projects include the VIP seats for the directors’ area and executive boxes at Premier League football clubs, including Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium and The Blackpool Opera House in the Winter Gardens.

Nigel joined Evertaut as a warehouse operative in 1981 and rose through the ranks to take on the role of director in 2002 following an MBO. With Nigel at the helm as director and Gail as company secretary, the couple took full ownership in 2013. They plan to retire as a result of the sale to their Christopher and Nicole.

Christopher started with Evertaut as a teenager on the factory floor. He worked initially in production, then with the CAD team, before becoming part of the management team. Nicole, who has more than 20 years’ experience in TV and advertising, joined Evertaut in 2020 as head of operations. She and Christopher become directors following the buyout.

Christopher and Nicole said: “We are incredibly proud to have finalised our acquisition of Evertaut. The company and our staff have the advantage of having garnered almost a century’s worth of knowledge and expertise and we are thrilled to be able to continue its legacy.

"Staff are local to the area and know Evertaut, the team all care about the quality of the chairs that we produce, and we really care about the team. We are excited to begin work on some big plans for the future, including the launch of our heritage range next year."

Matthew Catterall, a corporate partner at Blackburn-based Taylors Solicitors, advised Christopher and Nicole on their MBO.

He said: “It’s extremely pleasing to have acted for Christopher and Nicole to bring this very successful Lancashire business down to the next generation. The transaction ensures stability for employees and customers, and we wish Christopher and Nicole all the best for the future. I am sure Evertaut will continue to go from strength to strength in their hands.”