11/3/2015 12:20:00 AM
NEWS BRIEFS
Optimas OE Solutions LLC announced the acquisition of UK fastener and parts manufacturer Barton Cold Form, Fastener+Fixing magazine reported.
The Barton company name echoes its inception as a manufacturer – 80 years ago, in the back room of a Birmingham pub called the Barton Arms.
Since 2006, Barton operates from a custom built 5,100 square meter facility in Droitwich Spa. Its current machine park includes 19 heading, 9 rolling and thirty-five secondary operation machines. The plant is TS 16949 accredited and supplies a number of leading automotive OEMs and tier suppliers. Annual revenue is around £8 million and Barton employs 70 people, including those in a sales office in Katowice, Poland.
Barton becomes Optimas’ second manufacturing site, joining the Wood Dale facility in Chicago. Anixter acquired Wood Dale in 2008 and in 2012 installed several National Formax heading machines.
“Considering the growing need of our customers around the globe, increased manufacturing capacity and expertise allows Optimas to better keep pace with demand, protect supply chain pipelines and continue to offer custom solutions that are otherwise unavailable elsewhere,” Optimas CEO Ian Clarke told F+F.
The UK plant will retain the Barton name and continue to be led by operating director Andrew Nuttall.
The partnership with Optimas would “lead to positive benefits for our suppliers and customers,” Nuttall said. “Our partnership with Optimas solidifies the long-term stability of our business, accelerating our ability to act on growth opportunities with the industry.”
Barton employees were informed of the new ownership November 2. Andre Nuttall was accompanied by Optimas SVP EMEA, Dan Jack; Mike Tuffy, SVP global procurement; Tim Taylor, new Optimas VP for global manufacturing.
Taylor has more than 30 years experience in manufacturing, starting his career with Ford Motor Company, before joining Huck International and taking senior roles with McLean-Fogg Company, which included heading its global Vehicle Systems business with plants and offices in North America, Europe and Asia. Taylor served as president and COO of Tempel Steel Company in Chicago until 2007 and subsequently managing partner of Taylor Conway Partners.
The Barton and Wood Dale manufacturing operations now report to Taylor. Clarke said Taylor will split his time between Wood Dale and “travelling globally as he leads our effort to expand our manufacturing strategy and footprint around the world.”
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