Tweddle Holdings and its subsidiary holdings have been acquired in a management buyout.
Managing director Joe Watson assumed ownership of the Kirkbride-based firm on October 30 and said he, the management team and skilled workforce were set to lead the companies into a new chapter.
The deal includes Tweddle Fabrications, Cumbria Profiling, Timbertex, The Space Station Storage, and their joint venture stake in Timber Treatment Solutions.
Founded in 1989 by Derek and Andrea Tweddle, Tweddle Fabrications has grown into a well-established design, engineering, and manufacturing company, providing steel fabrication and custom machinery solutions to clients locally, nationally, and internationally.
Tweddle Fabrications also encompasses the Agriquip and Duraquip brands. Cumbria Profiling, launched in 2000, has become a reliable provider of laser, plasma, and flame-cut parts, serving a diverse range of engineering firms across the UK.
Mr Watson said: “These firms have been a key part of the Kirkbride community for over 35 years and have recently expanded through their joint venture Timber Treatment Solutions.”
This venture, in collaboration with French company Métallerie du Sud Lorrain (MSL), delivers advanced timber preservation equipment to construction, wood products, and landscaping sectors.
The joint venture through Timber Treatment Solutions is a key part of a long-term growth strategy focused on expanding global sales, with a particular emphasis on Europe, Scandinavia, and emerging markets in North and South America, as well as Eastern Europe.
Combining over 60 years of expertise, MSL and Tweddle Fabrications specialise in the design and fabrication of automatic dipping tanks, pressure treatment plants, and incising machinery under the Excalibur brands.
Derek and Andrea’s decision to retire and transfer ownership to the management team aligns with their intent to focus on other ventures.
The business has shown consistent growth since the pandemic, and the team is committed to building on this momentum.
Derek said: “This decision was made with the future of Tweddle Holdings and its dedicated team in mind. After 35 years, we felt it was time to pass the baton. The management team presented a clear vision, and we’re excited to support them as they move the business forward.”
Joe, who has been with the company for nearly 20 years, added: “We have an exceptionally talented team, and we’re eager to lead the business into the future. We’ve developed strong, lasting relationships across sectors, and we’re enthusiastic about both strengthening these partnerships and establishing new ones.
“Our combined experience and dedication will undoubtedly propel us to new heights.”