Door set manufacturer and distributor relocates to County Durham to substantially scale operations and create 30 new jobs.
EOTs were introduced by the UK Government in 2014 to facilitate wider employee ownership with the aim to encourage more shareholders to set up a corporate structure similar to the John Lewis Partnership model.
Key-Tech’s subsidiary NEL Technologies Limited is a leading manufacturer of flexible heater assemblies. It started business in 1984 in Consett, County Durham before relocating to Newcastle upon Tyne. Continued product development and innovation have enabled it to become a supplier to global blue-chip companies with the majority of sales going to export markets.
Key-Tech has a dedicated workforce in the North East and one of the major attractions of the transfer to the EOT is that it preserves the independence of the group and protects employment in the North East.
Dr Patrick Ferguson said: “I knew I couldn’t continue to own the group forever, however, I was worried that a trade buyer might at some stage shut down the North East operations and move production out of the area. The EOT became an obvious strategy as the group is now owned by a trust which has been established for the long-term benefit of the employees. This will not only protect employment, but it will also ensure the quality of employment is maintained and improved.
“The EOT route provides me and the team with a legacy and ensures that the interests of the loyal NEL Technologies customers are continued to be met. Importantly, it also gives our valued employees a stake in the future of the business and the chance to become owners supporting the day-to-day company activities.” The transaction was advised on by the corporate finance and tax teams at UNW LLP and the legal team at Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP.
Steve Lant, Tax Partner at UNW, said: “We are delighted to have supported Patrick and Key-Tech in achieving a smooth transition to ownership by an EOT. Patrick has dedicated over 25 years to running the business and the EOT preserves his legacy in addition to giving a great opportunity for the employees and continuity for customers. I look forward to seeing the business progress in the years to come.” Jeremy Smith, Partner at Womble Bond Dickinson, added: “I am delighted to have supported the Key-Tech team through the employee ownership process and wish them a successful future.” Reflecting on the support received from both UNW and Womble Bond Dickinson during the process, Dr Patrick Ferguson added: “There is a lot of noise in relation to EOTs and lots of people who claim to know how they work. It was very reassuring to be expertly guided through the whole process by a team with significant experience of working with employee-owned businesses. They were able to cut through the noise and arrive at practical and detailed arrangements which work for the business and employees.”
James de le Vingne, Chief Executive of the Employee Ownership Association (EOA), said: “We congratulate our member Key-Tech on its transition to employee ownership; securing the ethos, values and culture of the business, as well as rooting jobs in the North East. Businesses that give employees a stake and a say build trust and shared responsibility, uniting leaders and employees behind a common purpose, and leaving businesses in a better position to flex and adapt.
“Employee ownership is one of the fastest growing business succession solutions in the UK, where there are now more than 800 employee-owned businesses – with more than 300 of those having transitioned since 2020. Key-Tech joins a network of EOTs in the UK that include Richer Sounds and Go Ape.”