Date of issue: 15th January 2004

New Owner For Automotive Manufacturing Firm

A long established business, which manufactures precision pressed components for the automotive industry, has been bought by a leading industry figure.

Allan Cook, who has worked in the automotive components sector for fifteen years latterly in a senior management capacity with Wagon Automotive, has acquired the Wild Manufacturing Group Limited. He was assisted in the acquisition by chartered accountants Clement Keys, Birmingham, which acted as lead financial advisor.

After selling an automotive component business where he was an equity partner to Wagon in 1994, Allan Cook managed Wagons UK automotive plants but was keen to return to private ownership after leaving Wagon at the end of 2002. In taking the helm at Wild Manufacturing he will preside over a £10.0 million turnover business, which specialises in high-speed precision presswork supplying many of Europe's vehicle and leading component manufacturers.

Michael Meakin, a partner with chartered accountants Clement Keys, Birmingham said: "Since it was founded in 1919, Wild Manufacturing Group has earned an enviable reputation for its commitment to development, innovation and quality.

"The company is about to take a new direction after the Wild family, whose members gradually relinquished the management of the business while maintaining their interests as shareholders, agreed to sell.

"Allan Cook will use his considerable automotive experience to grow Wild Manufacturing by ensuring it remains well-placed to meet its customers changing needs".

Producing more than eight million small and medium-sized precision components every day to industry-specific, national and international standards, Wild Manufacturing Group is one of Europe's principle precision pressworkers in its chosen sector.

Based in Floodgate Street in Digbeth, Wild Manufacturing Group supports major vehicle and component manufacturers as well as distributors in 20 countries worldwide. In many cases it is a full development partner in design, functionality, production and cost feasibility.