Manchester-based Adxba, a company which designs and delivers high-impact digital displays, has secured a multi-million investment from independent asset manager BOOST&Co. The funding enabled the business to acquire Astra Signs, a manufacturer of architectural signage and print, as well as create new jobs throughout the UK.
Astra Signs was a long-standing partner to Adxba and its acquisition has provided security to the business at a time of significant growth. The acquisition, which is the company’s first, has made the combined business, which going forward will be branded Astra Group, one of the leading full-service providers of signage solutions in the UK.
Adxba is a renowned provider of digital signage products to digital-out-of-home (DOOH) advertisers, transport hubs, sports stadia and live entertainment arenas. The company handles the entire process from design to installation and continued maintenance, offering bespoke displays to meet differing customer needs. Notable projects include working with Manchester Airport on its transformation of Terminal 2 and provision of displays to The Trafford Centre, Gatwick Airport and BT. The business is also pursuing international expansion, partnering with like-minded organisations to grow its international partner network.
BOOST&Co has chosen to work with Adxba because of its status as an ambitious, growing business with a strong acquisition strategy that will enhance growth and create new job opportunities. The business also has a number of long-term servicing contracts which offer good revenue and cash visibility, along with evidence of strong customer retention rates.
Jim Kerr, newly appointed Chief Executive at Astra Group says: “The business has recently experienced a period of significant growth and the creation of our new group entity will further accelerate our growth ambitions. The team will be expanding, and we are passionate about creating additional jobs and adding more talent to the business. The BOOST&Co team has been a pleasure to work with and this funding will enable us to take the next step on our growth journey and ensure that we have the supply to meet increasing demand for our services.”
Adam Brinn, Head of London and East at BOOST&Co, says: “It is a really exciting time for the team at Adxba and Astra Group and our funding has enabled the business to make a significant growth development with the acquisition of Astra Signs. This will bring a number of benefits to the company, ensuring security of supply and enabling it to take on further projects, as well as add to its growing team. We look forward to seeing the new group continue to go from strength to strength as it further establishes its presence in the sector.”
Shaun Hyland, Debt Advisory Director at Leonard Curtis, advised on the deal. He says: “Our approach in sourcing the right funding for Adxba was to ensure that the lender was able to make the connection between historic and forecast performance, understanding the rationale for the acquisition. Adam Brinn and the team at BOOST&Co saw the opportunity in this deal to enable Adxba to grow the business while also smoothing operational cash flow.
We are delighted to have been able to support Adxba in its acquisition plans, using our whole-of-market knowledge to deliver the best outcome for the client.”
BOOST&Co is a leading provider of growth capital for innovative, fast-growing UK SMEs. The independent asset manager offers loans ranging from £2m to £10m, covering a wide range of sectors. It has funded more than £500m across more than 130 deals to date and provided close to £200m under the government’s CBILS initiative to support SMEs during Covid-19.
For more information about BOOST&Co, visit boostandco.com
For more information about Adxba, visit adxba.co.uk
Image: Adam Brinn
