The Oxalis Group, the Warwickshire-based protection equipment manufacturer, has continued its expansion trail with the acquisition of the UK, Italian and Singapore businesses of Video Marine International, the specialist CCTV producer for hazardous environments in a deal advised by Birmingham-based M3 Corporate Finance.
The Oxalis Group, formed by Rob and Roger Whorrod after the sale of their previous business, Walsall Limited, develops and manufactures products and systems used to protect people, processes and the environment. The Video Marine acquisition follows that in December of Litesafe, a company that manufactures portable, rechargeable floodlighting units and emergency lighting systems and LineGlow, acquired in February this year, which manufactures flexible LED lighting solutions. These three acquisitions complement the Smith & Prince (now Oxalis Lighting) hazardous lighting business already owned by Oxalis.
Oxalis offers a wealth of experience in the supply of products, systems and services for explosion protection; wherever there are explosive gas-air mixtures or dusts, its solutions prevent explosions and help to ensure the safety of personnel, processes and assets.
Video Marine specialises in the design and manufacture of high-quality CCTV solutions for a wide variety of marine based industries focussing on hazardous environments. Video Marine has considerable experience in supplying systems for the oil and gas industry all around the world. The facility in Italy is responsible for the manufacture of all stainless steel components from which the products and systems are built in the UK. The UK is also responsible for turnkey and system projects whilst Singapore consists of a sales and technical support office.
Rob Whorrod, CEO of Oxalis, said: “I’m delighted to incorporate the Videomarine International business within the Oxalis Group. With it comes an extremely high-quality front-end CCTV package with multiple approvals (ATEX, IECEX and GOST R) and a wealth of experience in the design and supply of both standard and bespoke explosion proof monitoring systems.”
Lead advisers M3 Corporate Finance, assisted with negotiations and advised on the deal structure as part of a lead advisory service.
Gary Hyem of M3 Corporate Finance, said: “We are delighted to have worked yet again with Rob as he continues to build his group. This acquisition continues the focus of acquiring and developing businesses that are involved in providing safety related products for hazardous or explosive environments. With businesses in Italy and Singapore as well as the UK, the deal wasn’t without its challenges but the strategic fit meant the obstacles were worth overcoming.”
Richard Underwood and Emma Bryant of Martineau in Birmingham provided legal advice to Oxalis.
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