Essex-based Crittall Holdings has acquired the trade and assets of Fendor, a leading specialist in high security, fire-proof and blast-proof windows.
The Fendor plant, at Washington in north-east England, is a major supplier to sectors including secure units, hospitals and petrochemicals.
Crittall, which is based at Witham, says the acquisition will not only expand its range of products but also assist the operations of its existing businesses in the north of England and Scotland.
In addition, the deal is expected to help Crittall expand its market share in the United States where Fendor products have recently passed fire testing for use in the oil and gas industry.
The value of the deal has not been disclosed.
Stuart Judge, managing director of the Crittall group of companies, said: “This is a win-win situation for Crittall, for Fendor, and for all our customers.
“We are now able to offer an unparalleled range of fenestration from steel windows, doors and screens for residential and commercial use to specialist security glazing that meets the stringent requirements of industrial, medical and government clients.”
Graham Dotchin from Tait Walker Corporate Finance, who advised the shareholders of Fendor on the deal, added:
“It is great news that Crittall Fendor have been able to secure this competitive advantage and that it is committed to retaining the North East facility, grow employment opportunities for the region and ensure that the end users of the products continue to benefit from them.”
Crittall has been a pioneer in slim-line steel windows for more than 150 years. It was originally established in Braintree, with Crittall Windows now operating from a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Freebournes Road, Witham.
Besides the galvanised steel window frames for which it is famous, the business also includes the InnerVision brand of glazed steel partitioning screens.
The Crittall group also includes Crittall Fabrications, based in Hitchin, Hertfordshire, which produces steel fire rated glazing systems and steel glazed doorsets.
This will now be complemented by the Fendor range which includes blast-resistent glazing for oil and gas installations, chemical plants and power stations, fire-resistant glazing for schools, hospitals, hotels, railway stations and museums and security glazing for detention centres, banks, jewellery shops and secure mental health units.
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