A 35-year-old leading screen and digital print business based in Wiltshire has been sold to Amcomri Group in a deal completed by corporate finance specialists Watersheds.
Jessica Painter, a partner with Watersheds, said her firm has been working with the Board family to put Bex Design & Print in the best possible position for future growth and eventual sale. “We took time to understand exactly what the family’s aspirations were for their company, and advised them on how best to achieve those, so that when the time felt right for them to sell they could achieve the best possible result,” said Jessica.
“Amcomri Group is a fast-growing, acquisitive group of quality British engineering and manufacturing businesses. Over the past four years the group has acquired nine SMEs in the industrial sector and has a wealth of experience in optimising business performance. We recognised that Amcomri Group was a good fit with Bex, as Bex is already a highly respected brand and, as a specialist printer, enjoys a particularly strong reputation within manufacturing industries.”
Bex is based on Calne’s Porte Marsh industrial Estate and supplies the electronics industry, amongst others. The business was founded by Michael Board in 1987 with just two employees. The company moved to its current premises in 1995 and rebranded. It has since grown considerably while developing a strong reputation for quality, reliability, and customer service. Michael’s son Ian became Managing Director in 2005, and under his management the company made substantial investments in state-of-the-art machinery. These investments enabled Bex to significantly reduce lead times and costs, and offer customers increased efficiency and value for money. The continued investment in hardware also meant that Bex Design & Print could offer new ranges of designs and materials, and so enter new markets and sectors.
Bex chairman Ian Board said, “having spent decades building a successful business, our family wanted to make sure that succession planning was in place to ensure the firm’s next iteration was a positive one, and to protect the job security of the loyal colleagues who have contributed to Bex Design & Print’s continued growth and success.
“Watersheds found out what was important to us, to understand our niche services, and to seek out a range of potential buyers who seemed a good fit. We have been delighted with how the sale has gone, and feel we have, with Jessica’s help, directed Bex towards a very promising future through the sale to Amcomri.”
Mark O’Neill of Amcomri Group said, "Bex is an extremely well-run business that has performed particularly well during the recent difficult trading period. The company fits excellently into our growing group of specialist businesses, and we look forward to working with Ian Board and the team at Bex to continue the success the business has enjoyed over many years.”