Mid Wales firm James Technical Services acquired by its employees

Sion Barry
·4-min read

James Technical Services (JTS), one of the UK’s few remaining manufacturers of environmental test chambers, has become employee-owned.

The Talgarth-based business, which was established nearly 30 years ago, has been acquired by its staff via an employee ownership trust (EOT).

The deal, the value of which hasn’t been disclosed, was struck with Glen and Sue James who set up the business in 1995. JTS employs 10 people from its purpose-built factory and makes test chambers that can re-produce the harshest of environmental conditions, temperatures, humidity and vibration serving industries including aerospace, automotive, pharma and many more.

The couple were have been looking to retire, however, and thought they had explored all options before resigning themselves to closing down their successful business – until they came across the employee ownership model.

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Now, twelve months on from starting the process of closing JTS, they have taken on a new managing director, David Hunter, and have ambitious growth plans to double their turnover in three years’ time.

The James’ will remain with the business in part-time roles during a transitional period.

Mr James said: “JTS is a successful business providing much needed jobs and skills in Mid Wales, but Sue and I had come to the point where we wanted to retire. We explored a trade sale, but we knew that we’d run the risk of the factory function being moved to another area.

“We thought our only other option was to close the business, which was a last resort as it is doing really well, but as we were winding down the business, we heard about the EOT model and realised it was perfect for us.

“So, we contacted Cwmpas who talked us through the process and set about making the arrangements for the EOT. We quickly realised that we’d need someone to drive the business forward under this model and so David Hunter joined the team as our new managing director.”

Mr James added: “Sue and I will remain at the business on a part-time basis during the transition period, but we are so pleased that David has hit the ground running with some ambitious growth plans, and that the rest of the team has welcomed the EOT. It is the perfect solution for us, and the future of the business.”

Mr Hunter said: “The fact JTS was transitioning into an employee-owned business was a big attraction for me. Having worked a lot of my life as a small cog in major automotive companies, to know that as employees we all have a vested interest in the performance of the business was a real boon.

“I’m looking forward now to pushing JTS to be the biggest and best manufacturer of environmental test chambers in the UK, and in bringing more skilled jobs to Mid Wales too.”

Gillian Byrne, who has been with the company for more than 25 years and a director since 2010, said of the employee ownership deal: “It has been welcomed with open arms by all of our team, many of whom have been here for a long time. Our customers have also welcomed the news and are glad that we are here for good, with plans to create a more dynamic business in the offing.”

JTS were advised on the EOT by Christian Farrow of Acuity Law, with financial advice from Huw Palin and Martin Knight of BPU. The company also received support from Social Business Wales, which is delivered by Welsh Government funded Cwmpas. Sarah Owens, specialist employee ownership consultant for Cwmpas, said: “I am so pleased that the employee ownership model has been used to keep this thriving business alive. To see successful businesses fold and skills lost due to business founders retiring is something that we often come across at Cwmpas.

“When we explain how the employee ownership trust model works, and how it can offer a long-term succession solution for thriving and ambitious businesses, there aren’t many founders that don’t favour it. We can’t wait to see what the future of James Technical Services holds, with a dedicated workforce and an aspirational new managing director at its helm, we know it will go from strength to strength.”

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