A 107-year-old Northamptonshire engineering business has been secured for the future following a trade sale supported by corporate finance specialists Watersheds.
WH Shoebridge & Sons Ltd, founded in 1919, has remained under family ownership for more than a century. The business operates across the East Midlands from sites in Northampton, Wisbech and Peterborough, specialising in the sale and repair of electric motors, geared units and associated components.
The company, led by third-generation managing director Robert Shoebridge, appointed Watersheds to oversee the sale as part of a planned succession strategy ahead of his retirement.
Watersheds has advised the business for more than two decades, supporting its growth through acquisitions and disposals, including the purchase of Britannia Engineering in 2002.
The transaction was led by James Owen, partner at Watersheds, who ran a confidential process to identify a buyer that could support long-term continuity for staff and customers. The successful acquirer was Boardley & Roberts, a regional engineering firm serving East Anglia.
Boardley & Roberts was seeking to scale its operations to compete more effectively with national operators, while retaining the flexibility and service approach of a regional business. The acquisition of WH Shoebridge & Sons enables the group to expand its technical capability and geographic reach.
James said selling a long-established family business required careful handling. He said the priority was to secure a buyer that understood the company’s heritage and reputation within a specialist market.
According to James, the process involved close collaboration with Robert Shoebridge to ensure alignment on both commercial and cultural outcomes, with a strong emphasis on finding a buyer from within the sector.
Robert said this was the third transaction he had completed with Watersheds and described the firm as a trusted adviser throughout the process. He said he was pleased the business had been placed in safe hands following more than 100 years of family ownership.
DFA Law and Gravita also advised on the transaction.
Watersheds specialises in advising private companies on acquisitions, disposals and fundraising, working with owner-managed businesses across the UK.
Main picture: James Owen, partner at Watersheds
