AV Technology sold to Yorkshire group

MANCHESTER engineering firm AV Technology has been bought by Rotherham-based AES.

AV, which specialises in noise and vibration testing, has sales of £6m and employs 90 staff. The value of the deal was not disclosed.

It will continue to operate under the AVT brand, led by managing director Steve Mottershead and group sales director John Chappell. They are equal shareholders in the Ionix Group which sold the business.

Mr Mottershead said: “In the last seven years we haven’t lost a client and have grown in all parts of our business. AV Technology has become a force to be reckoned with in the UK and we want to replicate that success elsewhere in the world.  

“We believe that AES’s finance strength, international footprint and enviable reputation for quality products, people and services will provide the platform to capitalise on these opportunities.”

AES Engineering is a major manufacturer of mechanical seals and support systems sold under the AESSEAL brand name. It operates from 77 sites in 37 countries, generating sales in more than 100 countries. The combined group expects sales in excess of £150m in 2013.

Managing director Chris Rea said: “The AES Group puts customers and the service we give them at the heart of our business. Our customers are almost always manufacturing companies who use rotating equipment and our Group is dedicated to the provision of products and services to improve reliability.

“We consider the acquisition of AVT to be of huge strategic importance to our Group as it will greatly enhance the service we can give to any business that runs a manufacturing process.”