Derby-based M.A. Ford Europe has acquired Mercian Cutting Tools, a specialist manufacturer based in Tamworth, in a strategic step to increase their UK manufacturing capacity. M.A. Ford plans to enter new market sectors by integrating Mercian’s custom tool production capabilities into its existing business.
Mercian was founded in 1970 and built its business on precision hole making, primarily for major automotive manufacturers and suppliers, before expanding into aerospace, medical and power generation. In addition to producing drills, reamers and milling tools, a significant part of Mercian’s output centres on creating a wide variety of custom tooling with complex multi-function profiles, including step drills, hydraulic porting and specialised routers. These advanced capabilities were a major factor in attracting the interest of M.A. Ford.
The team at PKF Smith Cooper provided transaction advisory services during the acquisition, with David Nelson (Head of Transaction and Advisory Services), Tom Sinden (Transaction Advisory Services Director) and Deniss Sipovics (Senior Transaction Advisory Services Manager) supporting with financial due diligence, and Jack Bonehill (Employment Tax Director), Kate Donlon (Employment Tax Manager), Chris Cutting (Senior VAT and Indirect Taxes Manager) and Harry Cook (Corporate Tax Manager) supporting with tax due diligence services.
David Nelson commented: “We are delighted to have advised and supported David and the M.A. Ford team during their recent acquisition of Mercian Cutting Tools. It was a great team effort from specialists across the firm, coming together to secure a successful acquisition for M.A. Ford. We wish M.A. Ford every success as they continue to expand.”
David Ward, M.A. Ford Europe’s Managing Director, commented:
“Working with PKF Smith Cooper was a great experience. Their due diligence work was thorough, insightful, and instrumental in helping us make a confident decision.”
The acquisition comes 12 years after M.A. Ford created its own Custom Tools Division, with the purchase of Ashton Tools in Leeds, which is now the company’s primary UK manufacturing facility.
