Moulded Foams eyes further expansion thanks to BGF funding

17/01/2019
Patrick Graham
Patrick Graham

The UK’s largest independent manufacturer of moulded foam products is focusing on further expansion after securing investment from BGF, the UK and Ireland’s most active investor in growing businesses.

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Moulded Foams produces a range of 98 per cent air products which protect food, goods and insulate buildings. With properties including temperature resistance, shock absorption, acoustics and light weight load bearing, the foams supplied by the business help preserve energy and protect the longevity of goods for both export and domestic markets.

The company operates from bases at Cumbernauld near Glasgow, Peterhead in Aberdeenshire, Blackwood in South Wales, and Scunthorpe in Lincolnshire.

Managing director John Thornberry led a management buyout of the original Cumbernauld business in 2006 when turnover was £2m. Since then it has seen rapid growth, delivering close to £20m in 2018. The business was also listed among the London Stock Exchange’s ‘1,000 Companies to Inspire Britain’ in 2013.

Mr Thornberry of Moulded Foams said: “We have grown the business through innovation – we work closely with our customers to develop products that meet their needs.

“Having factories close to our customers’ sites allows us to maintain a high level of customer service whilst ensuring costs are managed.

“So far, we’ve expanded our operations through a mixture of organic growth and targeted acquisitions.

“With BGF’s investment and broad network, we hope to continue Moulded Foams growth trajectory.”

Paddy Graham, Head of Central Scotland and NI for BGF, added: “Moulded Foams has grown extremely well over the last ten years, with a clear focus on innovation and sustainability.

“Not only is it a success story in its own right, it’s also a business that reflects and underpins the success of British exporting – more than 40 per cent of the foams it produces are used by other businesses to sell their wares overseas.

“The company has been a key part of the Scottish salmon industry’s growth, which saw exports to leap to a record £600m last year.

“It is also committed to improving the industry’s environmental credentials by offering collection services to customers and using recycled packaging in its construction products.

“BGF originally met John back in early 2017 and it has been great getting to know him and the wider management since then. The team’s understanding of the market and commitment to driving the business is second to none, and we look forward to supporting the business in its next phase of growth.”

Euan Baxter, an investor at BGF in Edinburgh, will join the board of Moulded Foams as part of the funding deal.

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