Blake Morgan advises electronics manufacturing services provider ESCATEC on strategic acquisition


Posted on 17th May 2021

Blake Morgan’s corporate team has advised electronics manufacturing services provider ESCATEC on its acquisition of UK-based JJS Manufacturing in a private deal. The acquisition adds electro-mechanical production facilities in the United Kingdom and Czech Republic to ESCATEC’s portfolio of hi-tech and highly competitive manufacturing locations.

The deal will enable Swiss-owned ESCATEC, headquartered in the global electronics cluster of Bayan Lepas on Penang island, Malaysia, to cater to OEM brands requiring products to be manufactured or assembled in the UK or Central Europe. The deal also enhances the Group’s capabilities and expertise in electro-mechanical manufacturing.

Established in 1974, ESCATEC offers a complete range of electronics and box build manufacturing services – from design & development and certification to mass production and after-sales service – to a global customer base. The Group operates two production facilities on Penang island (near the Malaysia-Thailand border) with two additional facilities in Johor Bahru, Malaysia, and Heerbrugg, close to the Swiss-Austrian border. Production space in these facilities amount to more than 40,000 sqm.

With Group revenue exceeding $200 million, the acquisition of JJS Manufacturing, together with the ongoing expansion of its Malaysian operations, is expected to rapidly propel ESCATEC’s annual revenues beyond the $300 million mark.

Blake Morgan’s corporate team, led by Richard Jones, acted for the company in connection with the acquisition.

Richard Jones, Partner in Blake Morgan’s corporate and commercial team, said his team was delighted to play a key advisory role in ESCATEC’s acquisition of JJS Manufacturing:

The acquisition of JJS Manufacturing will add 14,000 sqm of production space with a headcount of 500 skilled employees in the UK and the Czech Republic. ESCATEC brings solid financial backing for JJS Manufacturing and long-term stability for its employees.

For OEM brands in the UK and Europe that need a highly experienced and exceptionally trustworthy manufacturing partner with ample production capacity closer to home, ESCATEC now has a powerful proposition. It's been a pleasure working with the team on this acquisition, and I wish the newly-joined forces the best of luck in their new chapter.

Patrick Macdonald, CEO of ESCATEC, said: “This acquisition is a direct outcome of our strategic plan to grow ESCATEC into a major player in the global EMS industry and further demonstrates our commitment to serving our customers’ needs. I am delighted to welcome everyone at JJS Manufacturing to the ESCATEC family at this very exciting time.”

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