Barber of Sheffield makes mark with French buy
A TATTOO supplies business that secured a multi-million pound investment earlier this year is seeking further expansion in Europe after acquiring a company in France.
Barber of Sheffield is looking for target companies in Italy, Germany and Holland after acquiring Northstar Tattoo Supply in Montpellier. Northstar supplies around 1,500 tattoo parlours throughout France and Belgium.
Northstar’s founder Amandine Valette will be staying on for a period to assist with the transition and sales staff will continue to work in France.
Barber has also set up its own operation in Spain with the appointment of an agent and the launch of a Spanish website.
The company’s expansion follows the securing of a multi-million pound investment in May from venture capitalist Enterprise Ventures (EV) and PHD Equity Partners to finance its growth plans.
Barber was established by Tony Crane in 1991 to sell stainless steel needles and blades to vets. However, body art products now account for the bulk of its turnover.
It supplies tattoo studios with equipment for piercings and tattoos and has its own brands.
Mr Crane said: “We have been planning for some time to move into Europe. This first acquisition gives us access to the French market which is a similar size to the UK.
“Northstar is established and well respected in France – what we can bring to the table is the breadth of our product range. We are keen to expand further and are on the look-out for other suitable companies in Italy, Germany and Holland in particular.”
Wayne Thomas, investment director at EV, said: “Barber is a successful home-grown business that has been increasing its turnover every year. The investment earlier this year has allowed it to step up a level, by giving it access to funding for acquisitions and allowing it to tap into the expertise of its equity investors.”
