Employees successfully buy out £2.7m South Yorkshire manufacturing company

Two employees from Sheffield based Airflow World Group Limited, who have worked for the industrial oven manufacturer for a total of 35 years, have completed a management buyout.

Samantha Hancock-Ridge and Gary Clark have purchased the company from Nigel and Elaine Sharp.

Airflow has been trading from its 30k sq ft manufacturing unit on Underhill Lane in Sheffield since 1985, and has seen a turnover of £2.7m.

The company designs, manufactures and installs bespoke industrial ovens, laboratory ovens, spray booths and controlled environment enclosures for the aerospace, pharmaceutical, composites, electronics, oil exploration, and product finishing industries globally..

Clients include Formula 1 teams and several blue-chip and Aim listed companies. Airflow employs a team of 28.

Gary said: “I started my career with Airflow as a sheet metal worker straight from school, 28 years ago! I worked my way up to become the operations director and have a huge pride in the business and everything it has achieved to date.

“Samantha has worked with our team for seven years, running the finance department. Dave Hyde will continue in his role as managing director.

Samantha and Gary were advised by Hentons Corporate Finance, with Samantha Sellars and Matt Milnes providing combined legal and corporate finance services throughout the process.

Samantha Sellars said: “Both Samantha and Gary have the knowledge, experience and energy to expand the business even further, and it was a real pleasure to work with them as they take ownership of the business.”

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