Following the news that broke yesterday (Sunday 4th September) that Brintons had been bought out of administration by the US Carlyle Group, we received the press release below.
I worked with the company on a number of hotel projects, most notably the Celtic Manor, and am a long standing admirer of their weaving skills. The recent recreation of the staircase carpet at the Renaissance St. Pancras was a tour de force from the comapny.
The divorce of design from the weaving sheds in recent years as the company sought the cheapest manufacturing solutions was always, to my mind, a negative move. Designers need an understanding of the manufacturing processes and the close unity of design and manufacturing has been a feature of UK industrial strength.
The comtemporary divorce of the two has been part of a fatal management disease infecting British politicians and industry alike. Brintons is the latest to fall victim to this disease. It will undoubtedly not be the last.
Patrick Goff, EditorKidderminster, UK – 5th September 2011 – Brintons Carpets Limited (“Brintons”)
The business of Brintons Limited, a global manufacturer of specialist woven carpets for residential and commercial premises, has been bought out of administration by Brintons Carpets Limited(“Brintons”), a new company set up by The Carlyle Group (“Carlyle”), a global alternative asset manager. Brintons has received a significant cash investment from Carlyle as part of the transaction, which stabilizes the business and allows management to re-position Brintons for a return to profit and future growth.
Carlyle’s investment will enable Brintons to implement its strategic plan to extend its international expansion. As a fully integrated and global organization, Brintons will be better positioned to serve its global customer base and compete for larger commercial contracts in Asia-Pacific and the West Coast of America. The investment will also support the company’s commitment to technological innovation including the development of Brintons’ new proprietary High Definition Weave technology.
The 228 year-old business, which is the largest manufacturer of axminster carpets in the world, has carried out many prestigious projects, including the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi, the Queen Mary 2, many Las Vegas casinos and recently the St PancrasRenaissance Hotel, London. The company currently has plant facilities in the UK, India and Portugal and its product portfolio includes premium woven axminster and wilton broadloom carpets, axminster carpet tiles and handtufted rugs.
Don Coates, Managing Director of the Kidderminster based company, said: “This investment from Carlyle is great news for Brintons as it ensures the continuation of the business and survival of a renowned British brand. The company was impacted by the unprecedented challenges faced by carpet manufacturers during the economic downturn, which disrupted our plans for the business.”
Brintons management team selected Carlyle following a competitive process to find a suitable business partner. The opportunity attracted interest from a significant number of interested parties. “We believe Carlyle’s strategic involvement, investment and international network combined with our global reputation for quality and innovation will set the company back on track for long-term profitable growth,” added Mr Coates.
Ian Jackson, Director at Carlyle, said: “We are delighted to invest in Brintons, a global brand with a long heritage that is recognised for its quality, design and unique technology. Carlyle has a strong track record of managing and investing in companies in this position and welook forward to supporting Brintons’ management team to facilitate international expansion and enable the company to reach its full potential.”
Investment for this transaction will come from Carlyle Strategic Partners (CSP). The CSP team utilizes its specialized expertise to acquire the debt and equity of operationally sound, financially distressed companies. The team focuses on industries in which Carlyle has extensive experience; including aerospace, automotive, consumer, defence, energy, healthcare, industrial, media, power, retail, technology, telecommunications and transportation.
