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Durham-based online rug retailer set for growth after £3.2 million buy-in

County Durham-based online rug retailer, Modern Rugs, has undergone a £3.2 million management buy-in backed by Enterprise Ventures and PHD Equity Partners.

The deal gives operational control of the company to Martin Tragen, former group finance director of retailer Timpson.

It also allows the 33-year-old founder Ben Dale to release capital from the business although he will continue to hold an equity stake and will remain with the business in the full-time role of Technical and Marketing Director.

Ben set up Modern Rugs in 2004 as a marketing graduate using contacts introduced to him by his parents Peter and Sue who ran a carpet business in Bishop Auckland.

The company, which is now based in a 5,000 sq ft facility at Aycliffe Business Park, offers an extensive selection in over 20,000 different design and size combinations catering for all tastes and markets and with prices ranging from below £50 to over £1,000.

Its market-leading website, which includes innovative features such as unique “feel-the-pile” product videos, has enabled it to remain firmly ahead of the competition. The company, which also operates the Sisal Rugs website, sells over 25,000 rugs per year to a customer base consisting of domestic and trade clients and the interior design industry.

Martin Tragen, who becomes Managing Director of Modern Rugs, spent 19 years at Timpson during its growth from 160 to over 800 outlets with services expanding from cobbling to watch repairing. Prior to the buy-in he has been involved in a number of turnaround projects, the most recent being Total Fitness, the health and fitness club chain.

Mike Seery, the former head of corporate recovery at KPMG in the North West, is investing alongside Martin Tragen and will take on a Non-Executive Director role.

The transaction was funded by Enterprise Ventures, investing from the Coalfields Growth Fund, and PHD Equity Partners, along with the incoming management team.

Wayne Thomas, who led the deal on behalf of Enterprise Ventures, said: “Ben has done a remarkable job of building a business which he started in his bedroom into the UK’s leading dedicated internet rug retailer.

“Martin’s appointment will bring additional structure that will be required for further growth, which will in turn allow Ben to focus on the digital and creative side.”

Craig Richardson of PHD Equity Partners said: “Since being introduced to Ben by Martin and Mike eighteen months ago we immediately liked the business model and what Ben had achieved on his own.

“We look forward to working with Ben, Martin and Mike in the future to build on the success to date.”

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