Cawood Scientific purchased by private equity firm Inflexion
15 Mar 2017
The UK’s largest independent provider of analytical testing for land-based industries, Cawood Scientific, has been purchased by private equity firm Inflexion.
In a joint statement Cawood managing director Nigel Patrick and operations director Linda Radnor at Cawood Scientific, said: “We are delighted that the Cawood business is partnering with Inflexion to help us achieve the next stage of growth for the company.
“We believe the company is extremely well placed to serve and grow within the agri-foods market in which we operate.”
Founded in the 1990s, Cawood operates three divisions – Sciantec Analytical Services, NRM Laboratories and Sci-Tech Laboratories – with sites in Yorkshire, Berkshire, Shropshire and Norfolk employing a total of 170 employees.
Its 3,500 customers are mainly based in the agricultural sector including livestock, arable and environmental areas.
Partnering with Inflexion will enable the business to continue its growth in a growing market as agriculture is subject to increasing demographic challenges
Simon Lord, managing director, GCA Altium
In 2010 Patrick and Radnor launched a successful management buyout supported by NVM Private Equity, subsequently recruiting Lord Curry of Kirkharle as chairman.
Cawood’s acquisition by Inflexion follows a number of key purchases by the equity firm, including consultants British Engineering Services, data provider Kynetec and risk management company Alcumus.
Simon Lord, managing director of GCA Altium, which advised on the sale, said it would enable Cawood to take advatage of growth opportunities.
“Over the last few years, Cawood has established itself as the UK’s leading provider of agri-testing data, with its three distinct brands providing a high quality service and analytical insight," he said.
"Partnering with Inflexion will enable the business to continue its growth in a growing market as agriculture is subject to increasing demographic challenges.”
In recent years the firm has benefited from the increasing economic and political interest in food quality assurance and agricultural efficiency, and the growing emphasis on testing and data analytics.
