£75m firm created after Chesterfield manufacturer is sold

Fusion's Chesterfield factory

Global water and gas utility supplier AVK, which has its manufacturing facility in Chesterfield, has bought majority share of fellow Chesterfield firm Fusion Group for an undisclosed sum.

The move forms a partnership that has a turnover of more than £75m with 570 employees, and will increase the size of AVK’s UK operation, strengthening its presence in the global gas and water sectors.

The firms will continue to work as separate businesses; Fusion Group will continue to operate under its own brand, there are plans to expand together into the same global markets using the combined expertise of AVK, Donkin and Fusion Group.

AVK in the UK is a manufacturer selling valves, fittings and related products into the water and gas utility sectors in the UK and overseas and has a turnover of approximately £45m and 250 employees. AVK as a global group which has a turnover of £450m worldwide, has manufacturing and distribution sites in the UK, Europe, the Middle East, Australia, China, America and South Africa.

Part of AVK is the well-known Donkin brand which has its manufacturing site in Staveley, near Chesterfield.

Fusion Group was founded in 1971 in Chesterfield by chairman Eric Bridgstock, a pioneer in the adoption of polyethylene pipe for gas networks, and has manufacturing sites in Chesterfield, China and Egypt. Specialising in a range of polyethylene electrofusion fittings and related products, also for the global gas and water sectors, it has a turnover of over £30m, with 320 employees.

Paul Hubbard, chairman of the AVK UK group and group director, says: “AVK and Fusion Group Ltd are a perfect match: twin Chesterfield manufacturing sites making products for the gas industries, operating in other similar international gas and water markets, but with entirely complementary products.

“We have decided not to change the way these companies operate. They will work as totally separate businesses with great synergies. We plan for them both to benefit from each other’s reputations and networks in the territories where one excels and the other does not.
This move will benefit our customers and our staff.”

Kevin Raine, group managing director at Fusion Group added: “We envisage great potential for growth, with each business helping the other, especially in the worldwide water and gas utilities industry. AVK and Fusion Group are leaders in their field and both have well-known and trusted brands.

“The Far East and South East Asia in particular offer interesting growth opportunities, although shared UK customers will benefit immediately from enhanced service and product offers.”

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