Friday 26th October, 2007

Nigel Gets Advantage Thanks To Carbon-Fibre Bike

NP Aerospace employee Nigel Arlidge continues to make rapid progress up the Rowathlon ranking. Part sponsored by NP Aerospace, Nigel has made rapid progress on his new carbon fibre event bike.

Good luck in your next race, Nigel.

Wednesday 1st August, 2007

NP Aerospace in £71 Million Trade Buy-Out

NP Aerospace (NPA), one of Europe’s largest thermoset moulding companies, has undergone a £71 million trade buy-out (TBO) backed by one of its major suppliers, Morgan Crucible plc.

The deal signals the start of a new expansion phase for the company and gives the management team the support required while Morgan Crucible acquires a significant minority stake. It also provides an exit for The Carlyle Group, the global private equity house which bought the company for £30 million from Reinhold Industries in 2005 and has supported the NPA team in achieving their long term goal of becoming an independent company. Barclays Bank is providing funding for the management team.

Target Corporate Finance advised NP Aerospace on the deal, which is one of the first genuine trade buy-outs seen in the Midlands.

NP Aerospace supplies composite moulded products to the aerospace, medical imaging, automotive and defence industries. The company’s products, which are based on a range of advanced composite materials and proprietary production technologies, include ballistic resistant helmets and body armour, low x-ray absorbent medical structures and light-armoured vehicle structures.

NPA’s armoured vehicles have been used by the MoD, Police and various news teams together with its body armour and helmets for over 20 years. A key aspect in the NPA success story is their speed and ability in bringing innovative products to the market whether it be a new explosive ordinance suit (EOD) for the army or a new composite couch top for the medical industry, their products always become a significant competitor in their sector.

Founded in 1926, NP Aerospace was originally part of Courtaulds and is based in Coventry, England and Amman, Jordan and has over 200 employees. It will continue to operate as a standalone firm with a UK board led by chief executive Roger Medwell, who has run the business since 1978 when he was appointed as general manager.

Morgan Crucible is headquartered in the UK in Windsor and operates across 90 manufacturing sites throughout the world. Its materials, technical and insulating ceramics and carbon products are fundamental components of many of today’s sophisticated products, and are used in industries ranging from medical equipment, aerospace, defence and power generation to satellite communications.

NP Aerospace’s chief executive Roger Medwell said: “NP Aerospace is known for being at the forefront of technology and there are numerous opportunities to develop our offering still further. We have plans for major expansion and the buy-out will put in place the conditions we need to fulfil these. The partnership with Morgan Crucible will help us to access new technologies and markets and give us the support we need to flourish and grow.  The Midlands has a highly skilled and available workforce due to the unfortunate closure of some key manufacturers in the region and we will be looking to recruit to pursue our expansion plans.”

The Target Corporate Finance team included Matt Eves and Jim Shaw.  Senior corporate finance manager, Matt Eves added: “There are significant synergies between the two companies and commercial advantage to be had in bringing them together in this way. The structure of the deal allows NP Aerospace to benefit from a strong partnership while at the same time gives the management team the resource to develop the business further.”

Tuesday 10th April, 2007

NP Launches Discreet Armoured Cars Range

NP Aerospace successfully launched their new range of Discreet Armoured Cars at the HOSDB (Home Office Scientific Development Branch) 2007 Show on March 21st-22nd 2007.

The Armoured Jeep Grand Cherokee, which formed the centerpiece of the stand, attracted a lot of attention from various organisations around the world and NP is very confident of receiving many orders as a result of the show.

Sunday 11th March, 2007

Osprey Body Armour Saves Royal Marine

News of The World, the popular UK newspaper recently reported the incredible story of a Royal Marine who survived a firefight against the Taliban in Afganistan despite being hit 3 times with enemy gunfire.

Thankfully the Marine was wearing Osprey body armour at the time, which undoubtedly saved his life.