Sources have disclosed that Deb Group, the company behind Swarfega, the popular hand cleanser product used in machine shops and garages, has been put up for sale by Barclays Private Equity, which funded a management buyout in 2004.
The original detergent sales company, Deb Ltd, was founded in 1941 by Audley Bowdler Williamson, an industrial chemist who invented the Swarfega product in 1947.
After operating for over 60 years in Belper, the manufacturing operations are being centralised and relocated to a £9.5m purpose-built facility in Denby in March 2009. It is believed that the business has recently won a contract for a new foaming hand cleaner product in partnership with Dettol.
Deb Group now comprises 21 companies and produces a range of cleaning and safety products in a number of countries. The investment bank, UBS, has been appointed to 'look at strategic options' for Deb Group which could be worth up to £300m. There is expected to be considerable interest in the business from both trade buyers and from private equity houses.
