UK rubber firms merge

Rochdale, UK – Institutional investor Hughes Armstrong Industries has bought Lancashire-based Leyland Rubber Components, with the business to be merged with Dexine Rubber Technologies to form a new company Dexine Leyland Rubber Technology.

Both Rochdale-based Dexine Rubber Technologies and Leyland Rubber Components manufacture and supply industrial rubber polymers. Dexine has a long history dating back to 1895 and includes being a key supplier to the War Office, whilst Leyland Rubber Components was born from a consolidation of a number of North West-based rubber manufacturing businesses.

Leyland Rubber Components makes fire-resistant and low-smoke, low-toxic polymer products.

Hughes Armstrong Industries chief executive Stephen Lord, said: “We are delighted with the acquisition, which provides the critical mass to develop and grow our existing Dexine business as well as adding new products to the Leyland Rubber Components operation.

“The new business will retain the original investors in Leyland Rubber Components – John Burdett and Chris Turner. We are discussing investment plans and there will be a further announcement in the coming weeks.”