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Dean Curran completed his first acquisition in July 2024 by acquiring Garner Osborne Circuits Limited, a leading UK specialist in PCB (Printed Circuit Board) manufacturing and assembly, based in Newbury, England. He has now closed a second deal with the bolt-on acquisition of Active-PCB Solutions Limited (Active-PCB), a UK leader in PCB assembly and electronics manufacturing services (EMS), located in Reading, England. This move forms a new group of complementary businesses between the two companies. Active-PCB reported a pre-tax profit of £1.652M in 2024, on a turnover of £25.595M.
While conducting commercial DD for the Garner deal, Dean met one of Active-PCB’s sellers at a trade show. He discovered that both owner-founders were facing succession challenges, making the company an attractive strategic fit. By March 2024, with both potential deals progressing, Dean pitched the idea of acquiring both companies to investors, aiming to create a leading PCB manufacturing, PCB assembly, and EMS group.
Dean emphasized the benefits of forming a group, such as offering a broader range of manufacturing services, retaining third-party services within the group, and achieving better pricing through economies of scale. “Each company has its unique strengths,” Dean explained. “Taking those synergies and cross-pollinating the knowledge across the group will be a key factor in improving each business and the success of this opportunity.” This acquisition provides significant value for investors and creates robust capabilities to boost efficiency, expand expertise, and deliver unmatched solutions to customers.
“What sets us apart from private equity is we’re coming in to build a relationship with the seller, look after their business and continue their legacy,” said Dean. After 28 years of building and nurturing Active PCB, Gary Turner the previous CEO, shared that “saying goodbye brings mixed emotions. The management team, now led by the capable Dean Curran and supported by NCA, has softened this transition. They have invited me to join their exciting growth journey, and I look forward to this next phase. I thank Dean for his support and vision, and I’m confident in his ability to lead the company to new heights.“
Legal: Birketts LLP / DD: Buzzacott / Senior Debt Provider: ThinCats
