Educational supplier Findel buys Preston fitness firm Gym Gear
Hyde-headquartered educational resources supplier Findel has acquired Preston-based fitness equipment provider Gym Gear.
The deal expands Findel’s presence in the sports category, with Gym Gear operating as a standalone business alongside its Davies Sports brand in the UK and sister company Casal Sport in France.
Gym Gear provides gym design, commercial equipment and installation services for fitness facilities across the UK, supplying directly to the education, leisure, public and blue light sectors.
Chris Mahady, chief executive of Findel, said: “Gym Gear has earned an excellent reputation over its past 21 years of trading. This has created a strong and recognised physical fitness brand in the markets the business serves, and we see significant opportunities for further growth.”
The value of the deal was not disclosed.
Founded in 2005 by Richard Lambert and father and son Roy Bulcock and David Bulcock, Gym Gear employs 26 people, all of whom remain with the business.
Lambert and David Bulcock are continuing to lead the company following the sale, while Roy Bulcock will retire after a short transition period.
Richard Lambert, director of Gym Gear, added: “Joining Findel provides us with a significant opportunity to accelerate the next phase of Gym Gear’s growth. We intend to use the additional backing to strengthen our position in the market and pursue opportunities at greater pace and scale.”
Findel, which dates back to 1817, offers more than 32,000 products to educators and parents in the UK and overseas, exporting to 130 countries.
The company operates from Hyde and Nottingham, employing around 300 people.
Findel was acquired in 2024 by Manutan Group, a European B2B commerce business.
Xavier Guichard, chairman of Manutan Group, said: “The acquisition of Gym Gear builds on the strong foundations of the Group’s existing sports activities in the UK with Findel and in France with Casal Sport, while opening up new opportunities in a complementary market.”
Findel was advised by Cripps and PwC, while MHA and Harrison Drury acted for Gym Gear.
