They will be joined by non-executive chairman Michael Henderson, a former director of the textile conglomerate Coats Viyella.

All 160 employees will remain with the firm.

The acquisition was arranged by Vespa Capital, a private-equity firm that helps management teams acquire and develop the businesses they manage, and the board is completed by Vespa Capital partners Nigel Hammond and Matt Lyons.

SaidHammond: “We are delighted to be investing in a world-class UK-based manufacturer and look forward to supporting the management team in delivering their investment plans. We believe the number of people playing tennis and snooker will increase around the world, particularly inAsia, and this will underpin the company’s growth prospects.”

The original company had made cloth since the 13th century and the WSP acronym recognises the founding mill owners, who were called Winterbotham, Strachan and Playne.

Today the Strachan brand has a high profile in the snooker market, while Playne tennis ball cloth can be found on Dunlop,Wilson, Head, Tretorn and Babolat balls, used at many tournaments includingWimbledonand the French Open.

Printer friendly version

Email this article to a friend

Bookmark this

---