Cairngorm Capital Partners has supported MJ Wilson Group’s acquisition of Support Instrumentation Limited (SIL). MJ Wilson says the deal will accelerate its strategic ambitions for growth and strengthen its position within the process and instrumentation market.
Established in 1992, SIL is a process instrumentation company, with expertise in bespoke instrumentation implementation. Headquartered in Edenbridge, Kent, SIL provides a comprehensive single-source instrumentation solution from design, product selection and project management, to automation and process control. It operates across a number of sectors, including chemicals, food and beverage, power generation and aggregates. An authorised Siemens technology partner, the company is highly regarded by both its customers and suppliers, having built a reputation for innovation and outstanding customer service.
This transaction is highly complementary and strategically important. It offers MJ Wilson the opportunity to increase market share, strengthen its presence in the South East and broaden the industries that it serves, allowing it to scale its business and expand customers’ experience. Steve Hopkins, SIL’s founder and managing director will remain with the business, working with MJ Wilson’s Managing Director, Rob Beveridge.
Cairngorm Capital’s investment is the company’s 17th proprietary transaction since July 2016 and its third in the Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) industry, following the acquisitions of MJ Wilson and Helix Tools in February 2018 and October 2018 respectively. It advances Cairngorm Capital’s strategy to create a new national full-service MRO distribution business via its MRO+ Solutions business, providing precision engineering components, specialist ancillary services and in-depth technical expertise to industrial clients.
This investment was led by Amit Thaper, Investment Director at Cairngorm Capital, who says: “The acquisition of SIL is highly strategic for M J Wilson, and provides access to key brands within the process and instrumentation industry. We are delighted to partner with Steve Hopkins and continue to invest in technically focused MRO distribution businesses as we scale our national group.”
Rob Beveridge, MJ Wilson’s Managing Director, says: “We are delighted to partner with such a highly respected company. We have much in common in terms of our heritage and commitment to innovation and outstanding customer service. There is a clear fit between our two businesses, as our services are highly complementary so the merger creates exciting potential. Together, we will be well equipped to pursue new opportunities for growth, to the benefit of our customers, suppliers and employees.”
Steve Hopkins, SIL’s Managing Director, adds: “This is the perfect partnership for two businesses that share a commitment to innovation and the highest standards of customer service. There are great opportunities across the sector and this new chapter in our journey provides significant strategic benefits for both companies.”
MJ Wilson and Cairngorm Capital were advised on this transaction by Mazars (financial and tax) and Browne Jacobson (legal). SIL shareholders were advised by KBS Corporate (corporate finance) and Gately Plc (legal).
