Cairngorm Capital Partners’ portfolio company Polyframe Group has acquired The Window Bureau (WB Group).
Established in 1981, WB Group is a manufacturer of a range of GRP composite doors and PVCu doors and windows, which it supplies to the UK trade sector.
The company operates from a 70,000 square foot production facility in Birtley, Durham employing just over 100 people.
The transaction was prompted by the retirement of WB Group’s founder and chairman, Kevin Craggs. It is the first since Cairngorm Capital supported the management led buy-out of Polyframe in July 2016.
WB Group aligns with Polyframe’s stated strategic goal to be the market leading trade fabricator of high quality windows and doors, by increasing manufacturing capability, strengthening product development and expanding Polyframe’s product range.
WB Group’s managing director Tony Craggs will join Polyframe’s senior management team to run the expanded door division, which will provide a range of composite and PVCu doors from the expanded Birtley facility, as well as a specialist door service that will be based at Polyframe’s Mansfield facility.
Ian Macdougal, chief executive of Polyframe, says: “The outlook for our industry is strong and extremely positive, particularly in the composite door sector. Our goal is to make Polyframe best in class by offering the broadest range of high quality windows and doors in the market place. The continued strategic support and this latest investment from Cairngorm Capital make this achievable.”
John Naylor-Leyland of Cairngorm Capital says the sector is forecast to achieve double digit growth over the next three to five years. “We are pleased to invest further in Polyframe, and are delighted to have the continued support of Clydesdale and Yorkshire Bank Group in providing funding for the acquisitions and organic growth that are so key to our strategy.“
Kevin Craggs, founder of WB Group, adds: “The coming together of WB Group and Polyframe represents our mutual commitment to become the leading supplier of windows, composite and panel doors to the UK installer market and is a logical progression for the strong business that Tony and I have developed over many years. I am confident that WB Group is in good hands and wish the enlarged group every success going forward.”
