Textile Manufacturer Returns To Uk Ownership

Article created on 02/11/2011 08:00:06 by Planner

Twenty years after it was bought by U.S.-based Milliken & Company, the Stroud textile business Milliken Woollen Speciality Products has returned to British ownership.

The business has been christened WSP Textiles Ltd, with three senior members of the management team joining a new board of directors.

The former Milliken Woollen Specialty Products management team who have seats on the board are the new Chief Executive David Smith, Sales Director Duncan Kettell and Manufacturing Director Malcolm Fallows. They will be joined by Non-Executive Chairman Michael Henderson, a former director of the textile conglomerate Coats Viyella.

The acquisition was arranged by Vespa Capital LLP, a private equity firm that helps management teams acquire and develop the businesses they manage.

The board is completed by Vespa Capital partners Nigel Hammond and Matt Lyons.

Commenting on the investment in WSP Textiles, Nigel Hammond said: “We are delighted to be investing in a world class, UK based, manufacturer and look forward to supporting the management team in delivering their investment plans. We believe the number of people playing tennis and snooker will increase around the world, particularly in Asia, and this will underpin the company’s growth prospects.”

The original company had made cloth since the 13th century and the WSP acronym recognises the founding mill owners, Messrs Winterbotham, Strachan and Playne.

Today the Strachan brand dominates the snooker market while Playne’s tennis ball cloth can be found on Dunlop, Wilson, Head and Babolat tennis balls used at many tournaments including Wimbledon and the French Open.

Chief Executive David Smith has confirmed the company has a strong future. “All 160 of our highly-skilled employees have been informed their jobs are safe as we work closely as a team to ensure the business continues to prosper,” he said.



Issued on behalf of WSP Textiles Ltd