Foresight Group (Foresight) has successfully exited its investment in Blackstar Amplification Limited (Blackstar), a Northampton-based designer and manufacturer of innovative guitar amplifiers and effects pedals, following a management buyout.
The transaction generated a circa 2x return for Foresight.
Foresight originally invested GBP3.5 million in 2012 to provide growth capital and partially restructure the shareholder base in Blackstar. In addition, Foresight introduced Keith Pacey, former Executive Chairman and CEO of Maplin Electronics, to the Board as Chair.
Using Foresight’s investment, Blackstar has more than doubled turnover over the last four years, established itself as the #2 amplifier brand in the UK and USA and broadened its product catalogue with a range of innovative digital audio products including the award-winning ID:Series range. Blackstar has also expanded internationally into fast growing markets with over 50 global distributors and access to 3,000 musical instrument (MI) retailers worldwide.
Blackstar will continue to work closely with its manufacturing and distribution partners to develop the business into a vertically integrated amplifier brand and realise significant synergies across marketing, operations, logistics, technology and products.
Rodney Appiah, Foresight Group Investor Director (until completion), says: “We are delighted to have supported Ian and the management team over the past 5 years and to have played a part in Blackstar’s continued growth and development over that period. Today, the business is in a stronger position to capitalise on the global amplifier market and so I look forward to seeing Blackstar continue to delight customers for years to come”
Ian Robinson, MD of Blackstar, adds: “This deal marks an exciting new chapter in Blackstar’s history. I would like to thank Foresight for their support over the last 5 years and their help in facilitating this deal, which allows the company to retain its independence and gives Management the opportunity to drive the business to the next level. We are looking forward to many years of working with our distributors, dealers and, most of all, our customers to continue to deliver ‘The Sound In Your Head’.”
