Nobel Fire Systems

Nobel Fire Systems has become part of Safecto, a specialised safety solutions group founded by Sweden-based Systematic Growth. This transaction was led by our Corporate Finance team.

Nobel Fire Systems, based in Heywood, has for over 20 years been a leading provider of specialist fire detection and suppression solutions. Offering an end-to-end service, covering system manufacture, design, installation and maintenance, the business’ solutions protect everything from public transport to data centres, battery energy storage, and commercial kitchens, with customers including KFC, Statera, Sungrow Power and Wartsila Energy Storage.

Last year it expanded with the acquisition of Marine Fire Safety, a specialist fire detection and suppression equipment supplier and installer for marine applications, in a deal also supported by our Corporate Finance team.

This transaction marks a strategic step in Systematic Growth’s buy-and-build approach within the safety sector, forming part of its newly established group, Safecto.  Nobel Fire Systems shareholders have acquired a shareholding in Safecto as part of the transaction.

Our Manchester team, led by Partner Daniel Brecker and Managers George Barron and Bushra Bariwala, were appointed by Nobel Fire Systems to advise on this transaction. The team advised on negotiations before then managing the deal through to conclusion.

Daniel Brecker, Partner at FRP Corporate Finance, said: “The fire suppression market is continuing to grow with demand for high-risk fire suppression services strong, as a result of regulatory driven demand and non-discretionary spending in the sector. As a result, we’re seeing increased levels of deal activity in the sector which only looks set to continue.

“This acquisition also shows the appetite which is out there from international investors for entrepreneurial businesses in the North West. I have no doubt that this partnership marks the start of an important and exciting period for Safecto as it looks to continue its growth journey.”

Ian Bartle, Managing Director at Nobel Fire Systems, added: “We’re truly excited about the opportunities that becoming Safecto will bring us. Being part of a larger group focused on the safety market will open doors for us and give us ready access to capital to finance servicing a wider customer base. We can develop faster and continue to grow our recognised skills in designing custom fire suppression solutions for our customers.

“Daniel and the team at FRP Corporate Finance were a significant help to us during the transaction, they were there when we needed and were highly professional.”

Other advisers on the deal included Azets (sell-side tax), Gerald Edelman (financial and tax due diligence) and Gowling (buy-side legal).