Runcorn water treatment firm sold for £43m

A RUNCORN-based water treatment company has been bought by a London-based private equity firm in a deal worth £43m.

The buy-out of Sentinel Performance Solutions has been backed by Electra Partners. It has backed the company’s existing management team via an equity-only investment.

Formerly part of GE, residential heating and hot water systems firm Sentinel had previously been bought out in 2005 by The Riverside Company.

David Symondson, deputy managing partner of Electra Partners, said:
“We are delighted with this acquisition. Sentinel ticks all the right boxes – a well established brand with strong market position, good cash generation and potential for growth, run by an enthusiastic and highly successful management team.”

Runcorn-based Sentinel’s existing management have been with the business since 2005 under the leadership of chief executive Gary Roebuck.

Mr Roebuck said: “We are very excited about working with Electra Partners and the opportunities it presents for developing Sentinel.

“We have proven energy saving products which can play a key role in saving both money and CO2 emissions, very current in today’s marketplace.

“We see opportunity particularly in the other European markets and are actively seeking suitable acquisitions to help more quickly develop our position.”