Online fitness distributor snapped up by US firm

A CALIFORNIA company has snapped up Hull-based online fitness distributor Pure-tec for an undisclosed sum.

The US company behind the deal, Impex Fitness, has been looking to expand into Europe for a number of years.

It said that it intends to grow the business, creating another 25 jobs over the next five years on top of the 20 existing staff.

Pure-tec is already working with Amazon, Tesco, Littlewoods and House of Fraser and with the support of its new international parent company is planning to add to that portfolio.

“Impex has been operating worldwide since 1982, but until now has not had a permanent base in Europe. The acquisition of Pure-tec is crucial to our international online development strategy, in which we can use our new Yorkshire base to springboard into France, Germany, Eastern Europe and eventually the Middle East and India,” said David Gilson, Vice President of European Operations for Impex Fitness.

The US firm was advised by Paul Berwin, head of commercial and digital at Harrogate and Leeds law firm Berwins and by Jonathan Davis and Martin Holden from the Harrogate office of UK accountancy firm Saffery Champness.

Paul Berwin said: “It has been a pleasure working with Impex on this acquisition, and it being an online business, fitness related and Yorkshire-based ticked many of our boxes. I feel incredibly proud of my team in helping to secure substantial international investment, which will create many new and exciting opportunities for the region”.

Jonathan Davis said: “We were delighted to have been able to work with some of the region’s leading advisers on this deal which will support the future plans of both businesses and bring a welcome boost to the Yorkshire economy.”

The sellers of Pure-Tec were advised by John Flanagan of the Hull office of Rollits and Ian Lamb of Smailes Goldie accountants.