A management buyout of Huddersfield-based e-commerce retailer Interior Goods Direct and Green & Brown Ltd has been completed in order to further both company’s continued growth.
Led by MD Nigel Blakey, the buyout sees directors Job Brown (Operations), James Toase (Commercial), and Andy Thomson (Finance), taking a controlling interest in both companies. Darren Green who founded IGD in 2003, alongside its retail e-commerce business, BlindsDirect.co.uk, and G&B in 2010 will remain as Non-Executive Chairman for both organisations.
The buyout is said to underwrite ambitious plans for growth and provide greater employment and developmental opportunities for the 270 existing colleagues and future team members.
The buyout follows substantial multi-million-pound investments in both G&B, and IGD’s futures including the recent move to a new, 130,000 sq ft manufacturing facility in Colne Bridge Road, Huddersfield. The business has also recently invested close to a quarter of a million pounds in sustainability initiatives including roof-mounted solar panels and energy efficient LED lighting.
Blinds Direct, IGD’s online retail ecommerce business, continues to grow its reputation as one of the UK’s leading blinds and home accessories specialists serving over 15 thousand customers per month.
Nigel Blakey said: “It is a very exciting time for the future of our companies. This buyout is a testament to our team’s hard work, dedication, and belief in the potential of our company.
We are proud to be one of the UK’s largest manufacturers of made to measure blinds, curtains and shutters, based in Huddersfield, the traditional UK heartland of textiles. Unlike many online retailers we have our own manufacturing facility in the UK, and we are passionate about doing all we can to help our UK textile industries thrive and survive, not losing the deep heritage and skilled people that make our fantastic products.
With the buyout now complete, and a strong and ambitious team in place, we can focus on our plans for growth and to continue to implement a range of initiatives that will further strengthen our operations. While developing both companies, we also look forward to providing greater employment opportunities for the region, developing our existing team members, and delivering exceptional value and service for our customers.”
Darren Green, founder and non-executive chairman, said: “Founding IGD and G&B, and steering them on paths that have seen both businesses become well established in their respective sectors, has been an incredible experience. With Nigel and the team now in position, it’s an exciting time for both companies and I’m certain of a bright future for not only the businesses, but also the dedicated staff that have been instrumental in building them up to this point.”
