'Flying the flag for British manufacturing ' - trenchless tech business Brewis Engineering sold

A manufacturer whose hi-tech products are used to help lay cables around the world has undergone a buyout - and its new owners have vowed to keep “flying the flag” for British manufacturing.

Brewis Engineering was founded by Rod Brewis in his garden shed in 1984 and has grown into a global success story, with its trenchless technology equipment used to lay cables and pipes in the water, oil and gas and utility industries. Brewis, which has 16 staff and is based in Frome, exports across Europe, the United States and Canada as well as to New Zealand and Australia, the Middle East, Asia-Pacific, South Africa and India.

Now business partners Graham Edden and Pat Farrell have acquired Brewis Engineering in a deal backed by WeDo Business Services. The value of the deal has not been disclosed.

New managing director Graham is an investor and business leader who has run companies in sectors including automotive, hospitality and waste management.New commercial director Pat has spent most of his working life in the trenchless and construction industries.

The deal provides an exit for Rod Brewis and his wife Sheila, who served as company secretary. Paula Fitch has retired as commercial director, while operations director Michael Rudd will stay with the business.

Graham said: “Brewis Engineering is renowned and respected throughout the world for its innovative, market-leading products. Rod and the team have laid a tremendous platform for us to build on and capitalise on the opportunities for growth, especially in the US but also in other territories.

“With the help of our fantastic and loyal workforce, we are looking to expand our manufacturing capacity and develop new products to provide sustainable growth over the coming years.

“Some of the staff have been with the company for more than 25 years, having served their apprenticeships with us, and there is a wealth of knowledge, skillsets and ideas among the team for us to harness and achieve our goals.

“We have some of the best engineers in the world here in the UK. The country’s design and manufacturing sector has a bright outlook despite the challenging economic headwinds, and we are proud to be playing our part in flying the flag.”

He added: “We are excited to be taking a prestigious brand in the trenchless technology sector forward, using our extensive business and sector experience to support our customers and seize new opportunities.”

Rebekah Middleton and Jim McDonnell at WeDo Business Services in Oldham arranged a funding package for the buyout.

Rebekah said: “We were pleased to provide a package which enabled Graham and Pat to swiftly complete the acquisition once they engaged us. The founders and vendors, Rod and Sheila Brewis, have traded very successfully for 40 years and we wish them, Graham and Pat and the entire team all the very best for the future.”

David Gledhill, Rachael Killworth and Jenny Chapman, of the asset-based lending team at law firm Bermans, provided advice and support to WeDo.

James Young and Helen Carter at Harding Evans Solicitors, based in South Wales, advised Graham and Pat on the acquisition. Financial due diligence was carried out by Marcel Frei, of GMT Finances.

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