Black Country mobility firm on a roll after acquisition of wheelchair maker
A STAFFORDSHIRE wheelchair manufacturer has been acquired by a leading mobility products group in the Black Country a deal advised out of Birmingham.
Brierley Hill-based Sunrise Medical, which is a world leader in the development and manufacture of innovative mobility products and services, has purchased Burntwood-based RGK Wheelchairs from its existing shareholders for an undisclosed sum.
The corporate team at the Birmingham office of law firm Irwin Mitchell advised Sunrise on the transaction.
Launched in 1988, RGK is a bespoke wheelchair company founded by former paralympian Greg Eden and wheelchair basketball player Russel Simms.
The company makes wheelchairs for athletes across the world, including the eye-catching Union Jack covered chairs used by Great Britain’s London 2012 paralympic basketball team.
Sunrise said the acquisition would strengthen its presence in high end sports mobility product segment. It said the attractive and innovative RGK daily chair lines added an additional facet and choice to Sunrise’s own, market leading Quickie and Sopur premium brands.
Thomas Rossnagel, CEO at Sunrise Medical said: “RGK will play a vital role in Sunrise Medical’s strategy of expanding further into the global high end sports and active manual wheelchair market place. I am very excited as to what the future brings. RGK has a strong and dedicated team of people headed up by an excellent management team who will continue to run the business with the new support, resources, and experience we have at our disposal.”
Nick Dawson, corporate partner at the Birmingham office of Irwin Mitchell advised Sunrise Medical on the deal, assisted by Nick Little.
Dawson said: “We are delighted to have worked on this deal. There is an excellent fit between the two companies and this acquisition will strengthen Sunrise Medical’s market position not only in the UK, but further afield.”
David Williams, Head of the Corporate and Commercial team at Keelys acted for the shareholders of RGK Wheelchairs. KPMG Bristol provided financial due diligence to Sunrise Medical.
