Graphics sector manufacturer Metamark sold to Finnish industrial giant UPM
Metamark, a Lancaster-based manufacturer of materials for the graphics sector has been sold to a subsidiary of Finnish paper giant UPM for £146m.
The sale marks an exit for private equity backer Primary Capital Partners which backed a management buyout in 2017.
Metamark, established in 1992, is described as a market leading supplier of materials and accessories to the global graphics sector, to UPM Raflatac, a subsidiary of Helsinki-listed UPM-Kymmene Oyj Corporation (UPM).
Metamark employs 185 people and manufactures self-adhesive colour and digital print material, laminates and wrapping films from its facility in Lancaster (UK) selling directly to over 9,000 customers in the UK and to over 100 distribution partners globally.
In the last set of filed accounts the business made pre-tax profits of £7.7m on £54m sales.
The factory and headquarters in Lancaster in the UK will continue to manufacture Metamark products.
Metamark joining the UPM Raflatac family represents good news for the industry and for all our customers. Our combined resources will be growth-focused, creating a bigger and more energised market that creates new opportunities.
Since the buyout the business has acquired of Trimwel (based in Dublin, Ireland), Scotmark, Fleet Design and Vuflex which have increased Metamark’s regional and product footprint.
On LinkedIn, Iain Wolstenholme, Partner at Primary thanked the management team and said – “we’ve had a blast”.
He led the original deal, and said: “Metamark has proved to be an outstanding investment for Primary and its investors. Over the course of our investment we have helped transform and grow Metamark from a UK-centric, privately-owned business to a global challenger brand in the graphic material sector.
“Our partnership and alignment with a talented management team have allowed us to execute an ambitious plan, and ultimately find an excellent strategic home with UPM Raflatac.”
In a joint statement Paul French (Executive Chair) and Phil Wild (CEO) commented: “Since the MBO in 2017 when Primary invested we have been on a transformational journey with our investors fully supportive of the management team and our growth strategy. We are delighted to have completed a transaction that allows Metamark to continue its successful journey under the new ownership. The Metamark management team would like to take this opportunity to thank Primary for its support, strategic guidance and belief in our business from the very first day of our partnership.”
Iain Wolstenholme and Chris Hopwood represented Primary on the board of Metamark and led the sale for Primary. Rothschild & Co (Alistair Allen and Matt Hollingsworth), DLA Piper (James Kerrigan and Chris Wilson) and PwC (Syedul Hussain) advised and led the process for the shareholders.
