Paintbox Group secures funding from BGF

Midlands-based Paintbox Group, a full service supplier of premium exterior systems and advanced painting and finishing solutions to the automotive industry, has secured a significant investment from BGF to help fund a new robotic production line and support longer term growth.

Founded in 1989 to provide services to the Formula 1 industry, its customers now include Rolls Royce, Bentley, Aston Martin and Jaguar Land Rover. Paintbox operates three robotic and four manual paint production lines across its manufacturing sites in Birmingham and Banbury, employing more than 300 people and with an annual turnover close to £50m.

The investment together with a c. £3m facility from Barclays is facilitating the development of a fourth robotic paint line at the Birmingham site, operational in late 2016, with the increased capacity being installed to meet the growing demand.

Co-founders James Sharp, Managing Director and Karl Durham, Non-Executive Director have appointed Gordon Clark as Chairman following an introduction made by BGF. Gordon has held executive roles at Lucas, Valeo and Allibert and will provide Paintbox’s management team with support on production workflow and operational efficiencies in the factories.

James Sharp said: “By continually investing in the growth of the business, we have been able to adapt and respond to the needs of our customers. Our focus on flexibility and technical excellence has put us in a strong position to increase the capacity and capabilities at our sites even further.

“The funding from BGF allows us to accelerate our growth plans while retaining control of the business.”

Earlier this year, BGF invested in Sertec Group, another Midlands-based business in the automotive industry. To date, it has invested in more than 100 growing companies across the UK.

The investment in Paintbox was led for BGF by Aaron Baker.