City rail supplier acquired by Swedish multinational

Rail supplier Tidyco is eyeing expansion after being acquired by a Swedish international technology and industrial business group.

The Derby firm, which is a leading manufacturer and supplier of hydraulic and pneumatic products and assemblies to the rail industry, has been bought by Indutrade AB.

Headquartered just outside of Stockholm, Indutrade operates more than 200 companies worldwide, focusing on specialised industrial and engineering sectors.

According to Tidyco, the deal will allow it to expand its service range and “deepen its commitment” to industrial clients across the UK and beyond by leveraging Indutrade’s global network, expertise, and resources.

Managing director James Tidy said: “It’s an exciting time to be joining the Indutrade family, a group known for its dedication to sustainability, quality, and technical excellence.

“It brings great opportunities to scale our services while continuing to deliver the level of support and innovation our clients expect.

“We are also excited about the growth opportunities for our team, enabling them to work with world-class systems and expand their expertise.”

Tidyco offers a broad range of products and assemblies, as well as the provision of overhaul services of specific systems to the UK rail industry.

It has a strong focus on the aftermarket of rail rolling stock, but also serves other industrial segments with its core offering such as the design and supply of commercial HVAC solutions and mobile hydraulic hose replacement.

Following the sale to Indutrade, Tidyco’s employees, customers, and stakeholders will continue to benefit from the company’s established Derby-based operations, with business “carrying on as usual”.

Indutrade’s subsidiaries employ around 9,600 staff in more than 30 countries across six continents.

Its acquisition of Tidyco aligns with the firm’s vision of developing technical companies with sustainable business models while fostering a decentralised approach that values local expertise and market knowledge.

The deal was supported by Dains, of whom Tidyco is a longstanding client, which provided corporate finance advice, accounting support and tax services.

The deal was led by Roy Farmer, head of corporate finance at Dains, and supported by Lisa Richards, Constance Host and Brendan Shea, working closely with the Tidyco team to navigate the complexities of the sale.

Tax support was provided by Adam Longmore and Rebecca Jones.

Roy said: “We are delighted to have advised James and the team at Tidyco on this significant milestone.

“Tidyco is a fantastic business with a strong reputation in the rail industry. By identifying Indutrade as a strategic buyer early in the process, we were able to secure a deal that aligns with Tidyco’s values and future aspirations.”

Flint Bishop, led by Martyn Brierley, acted as the sell-side legal advisers, contributing to the smooth execution of the transaction.

He said: “We’re delighted to have advised the shareholders on this significant transaction.

“The legal process was completed within a tight three-week timescale, which included a pre-sale re-organisation.

“We worked tirelessly night and day to see this transaction was closed ahead of the Budget, saving the shareholders a significant sum given the following increases to capital gains tax.

“The acquisition not only highlights Tidyco’s strong market position but also aligns perfectly with Indutrade’s strategic vision for growth and innovation in the rail sector.”