Headlam acquires historic carpet company Roger Fell

HEADLAM, one of Europe’s biggest floorcoverings distributors, has bought historic Yorkshire family firm Roger Fell.

Headlam paid £1.3m for Roger Fell, which trades as Fells Carpets and distributes residential carpets and floorcoverings to independent retailers in the North of England from its base at Whitley Bridge near Goole.

The business, which was founded by managing director Tim Fell’s great uncle Percy Fell in 1915, has turnover of £6.7m a year and employs more than 30 people.

Mazars’ corporate finance team in Leeds, led by Oliver Hoffman and Will Brennand, advised Fells on the sale to Headlam.

Headlam’s CEO, Tony Brewer said: “We are very pleased to welcome Fells to the group.  We will continue to maintain the autonomous identity of the business and provide further investment to enable it to develop its presence across the North of England.”

Fells managing director, Tim Fell said: “Combining the two companies provides an excellent opportunity for Fells to grow and offer a broader range of products to our customers whilst offering a richer experience to our staff, with the backing and resources of a large listed group.”

Quoted on the London Stock Exchange, Headlam markets, supplies and distributes an extensive range of floorcovering products to independent flooring retailers and contractors throughout the UK, France, Switzerland and the Netherlands and has revenues of more than £585m.

Oliver Hoffman, corporate finance partner at Mazars, said: “It has been a pleasure to advise Tim on this transaction. Fells has a near 100 year history in Yorkshire and I am sure the business will have continued success under Headlam’s ownership.”

Christian Hunt of Leeds based Clarion and Rhian Critchell of Pinsent Masons in Birmingham advised Fells and Headlam on the legal aspects respectively.

Christian Hunt, corporate partner, at Clarion said: “We are delighted to have acted for Fells on this transaction, which marks another key milestone for the Fells business and provides it with an exciting opportunity as part of a leading international group.”

Fells was founded in 1915 by Tim Fell’s great uncle Percy Fell, who manufactured rugs in Castleford. Tim Fell’s father Roger Fell introduced wall-to-wall carpet and distribution.

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