Cotswold Doors, a Gloucestershire door manufacturer on the verge of administration, has been rescued by a London-based firm whose own factory was damaged by fire months earlier. The Fairford-based business was saved just 24 hours before a winding-up petition from HMRC was scheduled to be heard in the High Court.
The business and its assets were acquired for an undisclosed sum by Enfield Speciality Doors, part of The GSP Group, following the appointment of administrators last week. The transaction includes Cotswold's manufacturing operations in Ipswich.
Extra capacity and retained workforce
Enfield Speciality Doors said the deal would deliver approximately 60,000 sq ft of additional production space alongside the company's "experienced specialist workforce". The Ipswich facility will operate as a joint manufacturing site with the Enfield north London premises. It is understood that all production and operational roles across the newly combined sites are being retained.
Enfield produces bespoke fire, acoustic, security, X-ray and other specialist timber doors for commercial and public-sector schemes throughout the UK, while Cotswold Doors manufactures doors for the education, hospitality and healthcare industries.
Recovery after July blaze
The takeover comes after a blaze at Enfield's north London plant in July which caused damage to sections of the manufacturing facility and temporarily curtailed production capacity. The factory remained operational throughout this period, but Enfield said the extra capacity from the acquisition would expedite its return to four-to-six week lead times.
James Saunders, managing director of Enfield Speciality Doors, said: "Enfield is a very technical business and much of our strength comes from people who really understand doors. We've found that same depth of knowledge and experience within Cotswold."
"The fire reduced our capacity, but we kept manufacturing and worked hard to keep customers supplied. This acquisition changes the picture significantly. It gives us more capacity, more technical expertise and much greater resilience. We're also bringing forward planned investment at Enfield, so we're not simply replacing what was lost in the fire. We're building a stronger and more capable business."
Investment and group expansion
The fire-damaged section of Enfield's manufacturing facility is set to undergo a complete overhaul over the coming six months, with new manufacturing equipment installed as part of an accelerated investment drive.
Alastair Thompson, chief executive of the GSP Group, added: "The fire could have made us more cautious. Instead, it has strengthened our resolve and given greater momentum to our plans, expanding the breadth and capability of the Group and enhancing the solutions available to our customers."
"This acquisition brings together significant manufacturing capability and a wealth of specialist knowledge. It increases Enfield's capacity, while retaining the skills and experience that are so important to the specialist door industry."
