BFF Nonwovens has secured a multi-million pound funding package from BGF (Business Growth Fund) and Lloyds Bank to pursue its growth ambitions in the UK and overseas.
Based in Bridgwater, Somerset, the company specialises in the production of high quality, bespoke technical fabrics for niche markets. Its products have a range of different end uses including filtration, packaging, acoustics and advanced wound care. BFF has invested in its manufacturing facilities to provide capacity across all of its product lines in both its Bridgwater and Bolton sites.
Under the leadership of David Lamb, Andrew Brownlow and Chris Burhop, the business has built a reputation for in-house technical expertise, quality assurance and innovation. BFF has experienced strong growth over the last five years organically and through the acquisition of Lantor, a manufacturer of advanced wound care products, and Sterling Materials, which provides activated carbon non-woven products. Across the group, the business employs over 160 people and generates revenue in excess of GBP20 million.
BFF Nonwovens plans to add scale to its operations through further organic and acquisitive growth, particularly in the automotive, filtration and packaging markets. It is actively considering acquisitions in the UK and across Europe.
David Lamb says: “After a busy and sustained period of growth, we are delighted to be scaling up the business even further with BGF on board.
“BGF’s approach to minority investing means that we keep control of the running of the business while benefiting from their network, long-term financial backing and support.”
BGF’s Ned Dorbin, who joins the board of BFF, says: “By focusing on quality and technical excellence, BFF has become a business of significant scale and reputation.
“We are pleased to be backing an exceptionally strong management team who have a clear business plan in place. And, we are delighted to be helping yet another company in the South West of England to pursue its growth ambitions.”
Tom Lloyds-Jones, relationship director for Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking’s mid-markets team in Bristol, said: “BFF has built a strong reputation for excellence and has seen significant growth both domestically and overseas. We’re proud to have been able to support this next phase in the development and expansion of BFF alongside Business Growth Fund.
“We are committed to supporting ambitious mid-market businesses like BFF that want to deliver long-term sustainable growth, providing the tailored guidance and support needed to help them prosper.”
The investment was led for BGF by Ned Dorbin, Edwin Davies and Dan Tapson and for Lloyds Bank (Bristol) by Paul Wood and Tom Lloyd-Jones.
