Deal secures future of exhaust firm and staff jobs
The future of a long-established Macclesfield automotive firm and the jobs of its 16 staff have been secured after its assets were acquired by a Sheffield company.
JP Exhausts, which makes exhausts and manifolds, will retain its name and continue to manufacture in Cheshire, albeit from new premises in Congleton, thanks to the deal with Cobra Sport of Sheffield.
JP, which was founded around 50 years ago, had been facing an uncertain future due to the retirement of the owner, John Parker, and the untimely death of his son, Jim.
The acquisition was funded by a six-figure loan from NPIF-Mercia Debt Finance, which is managed by Mercia Fund Managers and part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund.
The deal, which is expected to create another five jobs in the near future, will allow Cobra Sport to expand its offering to the motorsport market.
Cobra Sport was set up by Rachel Abbott and her brother Peter Jarvis in 2004, though it originates from a business founded by their father Philip Jarvis around 50 years ago.
The company produces performance exhausts for clients including Subaru UK, Demon Tweeks and Radical Motorsport and jointly runs two cars with AmD in the British Touring Car Championships.
It exports around 10% of its products, primarily to Europe, though it aims to break into the US market in the year ahead.
Rachel Abbott, joint managing director, said: “We are really pleased to welcome aboard our colleagues from JP Exhausts.
“Both companies have their origins around 50 years ago and can draw on a wealth of experience in the industry.
“Joining forces allows us to expand the range of products we offer existing customers and puts us in a stronger position to move forward.”
Peter Sorsby, investment manager at Mercia Fund Managers, added: “This deal has resulted in a successful outcome for both teams and it has been satisfying to be able to support it.
“Not only has it has secured the future of JP Exhausts and the jobs of its staff, but it will also allow Cobra Sport to move ahead with its growth plans and strengthen its presence in the motorsport market.”
Ken Cooper, managing director at British Business Bank, said: “It is good to see the Northern Powerhouse Fund being used to support two established and growing businesses in Cobra Sport and JP Exhausts.
“This new funding will allow the combined company to scale up its operations and address the attractive US market.”
Krys Szokalo of KCS Management Consultants provided fundraising advice to Cobra Sport, while Lewis Francis Blackburn Bray Solicitors provided legal advice to the company.
The Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund project is supported financially by the European Union using funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020 and the European Investment Bank.
