INVESTMENTS
Sewtec Automation
Transforming a bespoke robotics specialist into a rapidly growing success story
SUPPORTING THE TRANSFORMATION OF A HERITAGE BESPOKE ROBOTICS SPECIALIST
We acquired Sewtec in August 2017 to enable the retirement of its long-term owner and support the management team in taking the business forward.
Endless were attracted to the business given its top class engineering capabilities and the opportunity to support the business to take these capabilities to a more diverse range of international manufacturing customers.
Endless undertook all financial diligence inhouse, funded the entire transaction and were able to transact at pace. This appealed to the vendor who did not want the business distracted by a prolonged sales process.
Sewtec is a great example of Endless being a great first ‘institutional’ owner for a business with exciting growth prospects transitioning from family ownership.
THE OPPORTUNITY
Sewtec invents, designs, manufactures, installs, and supports complete bespoke industrial automation solutions worldwide. Collaborating with renowned brands across various industries, the team tackles complex engineering challenges that others may avoid.
With the majority of machines being installed internationally, Sewtec’s prestigious client list includes Tata, Huhtamaki, Nestle, Greencore, Imperial Brands and the Royal British Legion.
THE IMPACT SO FAR
Since the Endless investment, the business has grown and staff headcount has almost doubled to 120 – making it an important employer of skilled resource in the region. To facilitate continued growth, Sewtec relocated to a 75,000 sq ft state-of-the-art facility in Wakefield in early 2020, more than doubling the size of its previous premises in Dewsbury.
Endless takes immense pride in Sewtec’s growth and development, celebrating its status as a true Yorkshire success story and an exemplary showcase of highly skilled British manufacturing.
The business now services more sectors and customers than ever before, with a substantial proportion of its new machine solutions supporting the delivery of its customers ESG commitments – removing plastics from products or the packaging of products, reducing energy consumption, reducing waste, etc. It also now gives new life to existing machinery when they can be refurbed and upgraded.
