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Tool designing and manufacturing firm M.A. Ford Europe has expanded with the acquisition of a specialist tool manufacturer based in Tamworth. The acquisition of Mercian Cutting Tools is aimed at increasing M.A. Ford Europe’s UK manufacturing capacity.
Founded in 1970, Mercian Cutting Tools originally built its business around precision hole making, primarily for manufacturers and suppliers in the automotive sector. The company has since diversified into the aerospace, medical and power generation sectors.
As well as drills, reamers and milling tools, Mercian Cutting Tools also produces custom tooling with complex multi-function profiles, such as hydraulic porting tools, specialised routers and step drills.
The company’s advanced capabilities were described as a major factor in attracting M.A. Ford’s interest, with the deal enabling it to integrate Mercian’s custom tool production capabilities into its existing offering and enter new market sectors.
The acquisition comes 12 years after M.A. Ford Europe acquired Leeds-based Ashton Tools to establish its custom tools division. The Leeds site remains the company’s primary manufacturing facility.
A team from PKF Smith Cooper, led by Head of Transaction and Advisory Services David Nelson, provided M.A. Ford Europe with transaction advisory services during the acquisition, including supporting financial due diligence and tax due diligence.
David Ward, Managing Director of M.A. Ford Europe said that PKF Smith Cooper’s “due diligence work was thorough, insightful, and instrumental in helping us make a confident decision."
PKF Smith Cooper’s David Nelson described the process as “a great team effort from specialists across the firm” that resulted in a successful acquisition.
In the year to December 31 2024, M.A. Ford Europe Limited reported turnover of £15.2 million, up by 13 per cent from around £13.5 million a year earlier, while pre-tax profits increased from £521,753 to approximately £2.5 million.
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