Unipart snaps up Hampshire manufacturer Formaplex
Unipart, a Cowley-based logistics, supply chain, manufacturing and consultancy company, has acquired Formaplex Technologies in Portsmouth.
Formaplex was established two decades ago as a specialist tooling partner in the F1 automotive sector.
It’s since grown to become a key UK supplier of polymer and composite solutions for the automotive, aerospace, motorsport and healthcare sectors.
Customers include McLaren, which has already committed to working with the business beyond the acquisition.
Unipart will integrate operations into its existing manufacturing portfolio, with Formaplex rebranded to Unipart Polymer and Composite Solutions.
Darren Leigh, CEO of Unipart, said: “Growing our manufacturing capabilities through this acquisition expands our offering and aligns perfectly with Unipart’s growth strategy to offer our existing and new customers a breadth of supply chain solutions and performance improvement technologies.
“It reinforces our commitment to enhancing and growing the UK supply chain.
“I’m pleased to welcome the Formaplex team to Unipart and excited about the potential this acquisition unlocks for innovation and growth, enabling us to expand our portfolio and strengthen our position in the UK manufacturing sector.”
Jorg Laser, chief procurement officer at McLaren, said: “We strongly value our long-term supply relationship with Formaplex, and we welcome the specialist capabilities that Unipart, a long-standing partner of McLaren, now brings to enhancing this relationship.
“We’re excited to see the innovative solutions and continued excellence that this combination will deliver for us.”
Carol Rose Burke, managing director of Unipart Manufacturing Group, added: “I’m delighted we’re further investing in our UK manufacturing capabilities through the acquisition of Formaplex.
“It will further support supply chains involved in delivering powertrain products used for internal combustion engines and electrification, as well as enhancing our offer for a growing number of uses in various other sectors such as construction and rail.”
