Roxburgh Milkins advises managment team on purchase of WSP Textiles
Twenty years after it was bought by U.S.-based Milliken & Company, the Stroud textile business Milliken Woollen Speciality Products has returned to British ownership.
The business has been christened WSP Textiles Ltd, with three senior members of the management team (Chief Executive David Smith, Sales Director Duncan Kettell and Manufacturing Director Malcolm Fallows) joining a new board of directors.
The acquisition was arranged by Vespa Capital LLP, a private equity firm that helps management teams acquire and develop the businesses they manage.
Commenting on the investment in WSP Textiles, Nigel Hammond said: “We are delighted to be investing in a world class, UK based, manufacturer and look forward to supporting the management team in delivering their investment plans. We believe the number of people playing tennis and snooker will increase around the world, particularly in Asia, and this will underpin the company’s growth prospects.”
The original company had made cloth since the 13thcentury and the WSP acronym recognises the founding mill owners, Messrs Winterbotham, Strachan and Playne.
Today the Strachan brand dominates the snooker market while Playne’s tennis ball cloth can be found on Dunlop, Wilson, Head and Babolat tennis balls used at many tournaments including Wimbledon and the French Open.
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Posted on: 03/11/11
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