North-East engineers Fairley Gunn Group seal double takeover

Tyneside engineering group Fairley Gunn Group continues its growth with two acquisitions.

The Newcastle-based company, founded by Peter Fairley and Jonathan James-Gunn in 2021, has acquired X-ray technology specialist Axi-Tek Ltd and its wholly owned subsidiary Metrix NDT Ltd as part of a move to expand its geographical reach. Loughborough-based X-ray technology specialist Axi-Tek was founded in 2012 and the company acquired Metrix NDT in 2020, a supplier and designer of X-ray inspection components, systems and services to manufacturers, universities, research organisations and technology innovators.

Nicholas Fox, former Managing Director and Chief Technical Officer of Metrix, will continue to work with Fairley Gunn Group to ensure continuity and help develop new opportunities. The transaction is Fairley Gunn Group’s fourth since its formation following the acquisition of Jarrow-based NDT Electronic Services, a supplier of industrial radiography equipment and systems.

Since its inception, the business has grown to employ over 40 people and have a turnover of over £5.5m, including through the acquisition of Gilligan Engineering Services, based in Northumberland, and Select Controls Systems, based in Gateshead.

Peter Fairley, Managing Director, said: “We are very proud to welcome Axi-Tek and Metrix NDT to the Group, extending our capabilities to support the NDT sector with advanced radiographic inspection systems. Fairley Gunn extends our range of solutions to include standard and bespoke digital inspection systems, and Metrix benefits from increased resource availability and engineering support. The companies share our vision to support and promote British manufacturing, and with this acquisition we strengthen the capabilities for the Group, expanding our customer base and complementary services.”

Carl Swansbury, Partner and Head of Corporate Finance at RGCF, said: “We are delighted to have advised Fairly Gunn Group on this acquisition. It represents the ambition of the founders and employees to deliver niche and specialist engineering services that are in demand across a range of industries.”

Legal advice to Fairley Gunn Group was provided by Mincoffs Solicitors of Newcastle. Shareholders Axi-Tek and Metrix NDT received advice from Michael Knibbs of Cenpro Legal and Roy Harby and Tom Marshall of Lemans.