Endless beefs up Niagara board with heavy hitters

TURNAROUND specialist Endless has drafted in some of the West Midlands’ leading industrial figures to strengthen the board of Black Country engineering firm Niagara LaSalle (UK), which it acquired earlier this year.

The first appointment sees the chairman of Birmingham Airport John Hudson become non-executive chairman.

Mr Hudson brings considerable leadership and commercial experience to the business. In addition to his role at the airport, Mr Hudson is also chairman of Bromford Industries and was previously group chief executive of Wagon Industrial Holdings.

He also has experience as chief executive of Calder Industrial Materials Limited, while he has also served as a non-executive director at Darwin Private Equity.

In addition to Mr Hudson, Colin Mills has been appointed chief financial officer and his new role will see him lead Niagara’s financial strategy.

He has significant experience of working with private equity investors and a background in manufacturing businesses on a regional and global basis.

Niagara Lasalle (UK), which is based in Willenhall, employs more than 300 people and operates from six processing and distribution operations throughout the UK.

The group provides hot rolled and bright steel bars in engineering steel grades and has approximately 5,000 customers across the UK, Europe and North America ranging from major automotive OEMs to general manufacturers and specialist engineers. The company achieved turnover of in excess of £65m for the year to December 31, 2010.

The acquisition is a previous winner of TheBusinessDesk.com’s Deal of the Month award.

Nick Leitch, director at Endless, said: “Niagara Lasalle (UK) has delivered an excellent trading performance since our acquisition, under the leadership of Tarlok Singh (chief executive) and his team.

“The appointment of John and Colin will build upon this success and further strengthen the capability of the board to assist the business in delivering future growth.

“I am excited about these developments and look forward to seeing the business prosper and progress further in its markets.”