Hotel linen firm bought by American giant

Vision Support Services

A firm which supplies linen to the hotel trade has been bought by a New York based business.

Vision Support Services Group, which is based in Blackburn, supplies bed linen to the Marriott, Hilton and Accor groups.

It has been acquired by WestPoint Home – which works with the likes of Ralph Lauren and Target.

The firm, which employs 150 staff, is chaired by Dan Wright who bought the business in 2005.

The company supplied sheets to the Titanic has been expanding into Asia having built service centres in China, India and Pakistan and sales operations in Dubai, Kochi and Hong Kong.

The new owners say the combination of the two businesses will create an industry giant with a “dominant position” in the hospitality sector.

The management team at VSS will look to accelerate the rate of growth that has already been achieved across Europe, the Middle East and Asia with a new push into North America.

Mr Wright will step down after the transaction to concentrate on his other business interests.

He said: “We have grown revenues by more than ten times and expanded the employee base to more than 150 across six time zones.

“I am pleased to hand over the reins to Laurie Thomas and the team who, with WestPoint’s backing, will be able to take the business to new heights.”

Laurie Thomas, the managing director who worked alongside Dan Wright, will continue to lead the business.

He added: “This is a massive opportunity to grow with the support of one of the world’s leading textile businesses and to make the combined business truly global in its supply and services.”

VSS was advised by Neil Mitchell and Kaine Smith of Rickitt Mitchell & Partners (corporate finance), Mark Halliwell and Ffion Brumwell-Hughes of Gateley (legals), and Steven Heath and Zakari Hawley of KPMG (tax).
WestPoint Home was advised by Andy Phillips and Helen Tsang of DLA.

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