The Watermill Group, a private investment firm, has acquired Andaray (Holdings) Limited and its subsidiary Cooper & Turner, a UK-based global manufacturer and distributor of high-strength, large diameter industrial fastener systems. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Cooper & Turner senior management, including CEO Tony Brown and Production Chief David Brown, will remain in their current positions and retain a significant shareholding in the company, according to Watermill’s press release.

“Combining Watermill’s strategy-driven approach with Cooper & Turner’s highly experienced management team, the company has an exciting opportunity to become the world’s first, truly global mission-critical-fastener supplier,” stated Watermill president and COO Julia Karol.

Headquartered in Sheffield, England, Cooper & Turner operates manufacturing and distribution facilities across the UK, China and the US.

Founded in the 1800s by Joseph and James Turner as a gun barrel manufacturer, Cooper & Turner now manufactures bolts, nuts and washers for the wind, railway, tunneling, oil & gas and structural bolting industries. Web: cooperandturner.co.uk

In 2005 Watermill acquired Vertex Distribution, and then bought Houston-based Allmetric Fasteners the following year. Vertex was acquired by Houston Wire & Cable Company in 2016.

Lexington, MA-based Watermill Group is a private investment firm focusing on acquiring middle-market companies. Web: watermill.com