Gorbold leads buyout at Amplicon
An
Amplicon product story
Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team
Apr 5, 2005
Brighton based Amplicon Liveline has concluded a successful management buyout (MBO).
Brighton based Amplicon Liveline has concluded a successful management buyout (MBO).
Founder Jim Hicks, who set up the company in 1973, and his wife Heather, have sold their majority holding to an MBO team led by Tony Gorbold for an undisclosed amount.
Gorbold, who has been Operations Director at Amplicon for many years and helped Hicks to establish the business from scratch, becomes Managing Director, and together with Mark Bushby, Finance Director and Gina Citroni, Commercial Director, now owns the company in its entirety.
Jim Hicks MBE, who was recently diagnosed with bone marrow cancer and has been treated at the Royal Sussex Hospital in Brighton followed by a successful stem cell transplant, commented: "The sale of Amplicon will not only allow Heather and I to enjoy total worry free retirement, but will also ensure a sound future for our team of people, with continuity for customers and suppliers".
"We look forward to seeing the business continue to go from strength to strength".
In communication with the staff, he continued: "As you would expect this is a very friendly arrangement".
"Please accept Heather's and my heartfelt thanks for your many years of loyal commitment".
Jim stepped sideways into the role of Chairman four years ago to allow Amplicon to move forward with a more aggressive strategy, and since then the company has declared increasing turnovers of GBP 4.6 million for the year 2001-02, rising to GBP 5.1 million in 2002-03, and GBP 5.8 million in 2003-04.
Not only has turnover increased, but the company has also enjoyed improving profitability, with 2004-05 expected to continue the trend.
The new management has already developed plans to ensure that the company will continue to grow in the same manner for the future.
"The strength of the management team and the support of our highly motivated sales team will enable us to face our future with both energy and confidence".
"I am certain that with the talent and desire to succeed we will be able to capitalise on this exciting new phase of Amplicon's development", commented Tony Gorbold, on behalf of the team.
The MBO process was facilitated by Sussex based accountant Baker Tilly, with legal support from lawyers Thomas Eggar and Griffith Smith.
Richard Edwards, who had been employed as Managing Director, is not included in the MBO team and has left the company, as he felt that Amplicon would progress more effectively under new leadership.
Not what you're looking for? Search the site.
Contact Amplicon
Tel +44 1273 570220
Other Amplicon stories
-
Amplicon introduces Atom-based embedded computers
Amplicon has launched the Impact-E 30 series of Atom-based embedded computers. -
Amplicon introduces switch and media converter
Amplicon's Data Communications Group has expanded its ANE range of low-cost Industrial Ethernet switches with the addition of an all-Gigabit switch and media converter. -
Amplicon to host Emerging Technologies seminar
Amplicon will be hosting a free seminar at its Brighton HQ on 23 September 2009, based on current and future trends in automation. -
Amplicon customises test-system hardware
Amplicon's Test Systems Division provides system integrators and end-users with the widest range of test-system hardware at a competitive price. -
Amplicon launches Senses 6100 panel PCs
Amplicon's Senses 6100 series comprises industrial panel PCs with a 17in or 15in display, touch screen and IP65-rated front bezels.
Browse by category
-
Capital Equipment (3,495)
- Capital Equipment (1)
- Compressors and Air Treatment (534)
- Electrical hardware (131)
- Electronics Manufacturing, Tools, Instruments (192)
- Machinery and Production Equipment (1,125)
- Manufacturing Machinery and Plant Equipment (474)
- Production line blowers and fans (73)
- Robotics, Handling and Storage (965)
- Consultancy and Services (919)
-
Control and Instrumentation (5,108)
- Cabling, Conduit, Signal Conditioning (813)
- CNC and Motion Controllers (188)
- Control and Instrumentation (2)
- HMIs/Operator Interfaces (296)
- Logic Controllers, Timers and Relays (96)
- Mid-range and Large PLCs (203)
- Plant- and Machine-Wide Communications (1,197)
- Plantwide control (1,350)
- Power Supplies, Uninterruptible Power (573)
- Smaller-Sized PLCs (390)
-
Drives, Motors and Controls (3,428)
- Drives, Motors and Controls (2)
- Industrial Drives/Controls (1,290)
- Industrial Motors (501)
- Linear Drives and Motors (119)
- Precision Motors and Gears (428)
- Stepper and Servo Drives, Motors, Controls (1,086)
-
Electrical and Electronic Equipment Design (4,280)
- Batteries, chargers and circuit protection (576)
- Connectors, Terminals, Busbars, Slip Rings (711)
- Electrical and Electronic Components (647)
- Electrical and Electronic Equipment Design (3)
- Electrical and Electronic Subassemblies (374)
- Enclosures and Equipment Cooling Fans (720)
- Knobs, Handles and Enclosure Hardware (428)
- PCs and Embedded Systems (821)
-
Engineering Design Software (6,326)
- 2D CAD software (202)
- 3D CAD software (1,180)
- CAM, CNC, production management software (576)
- Data, document management software (321)
- Electrical design software (165)
- Engineering Design Software (17)
- FEA and structural analysis software (376)
- File conversion software, data capture (358)
- Fluid, thermal, noise, vibration software (338)
- Materials design and moulding design software (152)
- Maths, charting, statistics, QA software (324)
- PLM and collaboration software (659)
- Process, instrumentation, automation software (269)
- Publishing and documentation software (234)
- Rendering, visualisation, styling software (206)
- Simulation, modelling, validation software (949)
-
Engineering Industry News, Resources (6,200)
- Electronic Resources for Engineers (278)
- Engineering Business News, Views (388)
- Engineering Conferences (435)
- Engineering Education, Resources, Standards (849)
- Engineering Exhibitions, Events (575)
- Engineering Guides, Newsletters (365)
- Engineering Industry Developments, Awards (636)
- Engineering Industry News, Resources (4)
- Engineering Industry Reports, Surveys (597)
- Engineering Recruitment, Employment (219)
- Engineering Seminars (414)
- Engineering Training Courses (457)
- Health and Safety Consultancy, Software (180)
- Health and Safety Events, Training, News (285)
- Health and Safety Legislation (403)
- Health and Safety Strategy, Risk Assessment (115)
- Machine Building (4,606)
-
Materials and Processing (3,021)
- Materials and components (2,259)
- Materials and Processing (5)
- Materials processing and testing (291)
- Rapid Prototyping (466)
-
Monitoring, Measurement and Quality (5,624)
- Data Acquisition Hardware and PC I/O Boards (486)
- Data acquisition Software and Communications (503)
- Data loggers (425)
- Electrical and Electronic Testing, PAT Equipment (641)
- Form/co-ordinate, optical, vision instruments (757)
- Gauges, Indicators and Instruments (448)
- Materials testing equipment (430)
- Monitoring, Measurement and Quality (1)
- Telecomms/network test equipment, software etc (158)
- Testing and Calibration Services and Information (518)
- Testing, analysing and monitoring equipment (1,257)
-
Powertrain Design (3,698)
- Bearings (976)
- Chains and belts (333)
- Gears, brakes, couplings and engines (1,470)
- Hydraulic Components (474)
- Lubricants (441)
- Powertrain Design (3)
-
Sensors (7,249)
- Accelerometers and Vibration Sensors (447)
- Barcode Sensors (103)
- Flowmeters and Flow Sensors (638)
- Gas, Chemical, Radiation, Magnetic Sensors (289)
- Humidity and Environmental Sensors (157)
- Level Sensors and Leak Detectors (537)
- Linear Position Sensors (412)
- Loadcells, Force Sensors, Torque Sensors (725)
- Pressure sensors (635)
- Proximity Sensors (711)
- Rotary Position, Tilt and Angular Sensors (559)
- Sensors (10)
- Temperature sensors (621)
- Vision and Colour Sensors (1,405)
- Small Mechanical Components, Joining, Tools (2,027)
- Valves, Pumps, Process Hardware (3,713)
