Runcorn plasma firm bought by investment group
Henniker Scientific, a Runcorn based plasma technology business which supplies BAE Systems and The Crick Institute has been acquired for £1.8 million by a stock market listed scientific conglomerate.
Judges Scientific owns 20 businesses which it has acquired since 2005 and describes itself as “a group focused on acquiring and developing companies in the scientific instrument sector” and has bought Henniker Scientific, which specialises in deposition and plasma technology from its base in Runcorn.
An earn-out payment due in 2024 could take the final purchase price up by £2.3 million, if the business makes over £578,000.
Judges Scientific has funded the purchase from cash balances.
Alex Hambro, chairman of Judges, said: “We are pleased to welcome the Henniker team to the Judges family. The Board believes that Henniker is a solid, growing and profitable company manufacturing quality products.”
Henniker specialises in the design and manufacture of instruments used for plasma surface treatment, it also provides plasma depositions services based on the instruments.
Henniker was established in 2009 by Terry Whitmore and he owned the company with his wife Clare. He will remain as managing director of Henniker.
A team from the business recently travelled to South Korea to install and commission an advanced nano-coating system, the Nebula, at the Qureator facility in Seoul.
Judges buys primarily UK-based companies with products sold worldwide to a diverse range of markets including: higher education institutions, scientific research facilities, manufacturers and regulatory authorities. Group companies have received five Queen’s Awards for innovation and export.
