GRI Group Ltd announces the acquisition of Libra Chemicals Ltd

December 2010

Sheffield headquartered GRI Group Ltd has acquired Libra Chemicals Ltd for an undisclosed sum.

Sheffield based advisers, law firm Hill Dickinson and accountants Hart Shaw, acted on behalf of GRI Group.

Libra Chemicals is based on a 2.1 hectare freehold site in Manchester and is a leading manufacturer and distributor providing a range of amphoteric, nonionic and anionic surfactants, phosphate esters and a whole array of speciality chemicals for industrial, personal care and household care applications. The company is financially robust, very successful and operates to the same high level of international accreditations as GRI’s existing chemicals manufacturing capability, including ISO9000 for quality and ISO14001 for environmental control.

Aerial shot of the Libra Chemicals site

Graham Royle, Chairman & CEO of GRI Group, commented: “Libra is renowned for its quality and service and is a fantastic strategic fit with the rest of our group companies. There is virtually no product overlap and the combined range offers superb synergy across the customer base and global geographical markets that we cover. Already there is incredible enthusiasm amongst our customers and suppliers”.

Neil Thompson, managing partner at Hill Dickinson Sheffield said: “True to his word, following the Hallam Beauty deal in March, Graham Royle has set about building his group by acquisition as well as by working hard the assets of his existing companies. Having seen myself the potential for significant capacity increases at Libra Chemicals, I have no doubt this will be another great success for him and for his model of incentivising management so they share in the upside too.”

Chris Sellars, corporate finance partner at Hart Shaw said: “Having worked with the GRI Group since 2002 we have seen them achieve significant organic growth, supported by specific acquisitions that enhance the products and services offered by the group. The acquisition of Libra Chemicals is viewed as a key strategic acquisition due to the synergies it has with GRI’s companies and we are very pleased to have supported the management through the acquisition process.”

GRI Group is currently ranked as the 13th largest Sheffield based company and sits at 100 in the Insider Yorkshire Top 500.