Newable Capital invests in London Fire Solutions to propel growth
Leading UK investment company Newable Capital has shown further confidence in the UK manufacturing sector with the announcement of a strategic investment in South London-based LFS, a UK market-leader in passive fire protection.
Founded in 2011, LFS supplies passive fire protection products and services to the construction industry in both the private and public sectors across London and the South East. Established to protect lives, the same motivation and ethos remains at the heart of the company today.
Despite the impact of Covid-19, LFS has experienced considerable growth in the last two years and is now preparing, with Newable Capital’s support, to move to a substantially larger manufacturing site to respond to growing demand from its clients. The move will enable LFS to invest in new cutting-edge machinery and significantly improve its production processes to better serve its clients.
LFS specialises in the design, manufacture, installation and certification of fire and enhanced security doors and screens, along with other passive fire products. In addition, LFS provides a one-stop, long term solution for ongoing surveys, service maintenance and support with the latest technology and approved repair techniques.
Since its inception, LFS has amassed a range of industry-leading certifications and accreditations which include but are not limited to CHAS, Constructionline, Certass, SafeContractor and Firefly Installer. LFS also provides certification under the BM Trada Q-Mark scheme and FIRAS accreditation once the doors have been repaired and fully tested. LFS was one of the first companies in the UK to become accredited to the BM Trada Q-Mark Scheme. The business operates to the latest British standards, as part of FIRAS third-party certification with the Warrington Fire Certification Scheme, demonstrating its commitment to providing excellence.
There will be no changes to the senior management team with Jim Hannon, the founder of LFS remaining as the managing director. The long-term investment by Newable Capital will help propel the company through its next phase of growth.
Newable Capital forms a key part of Newable, the leading provider of space, money and advice to SMEs which was established in 1982. Newable Capital provides investment to help profitable, well-established UK SMEs through their growth journey, with previous investments including Leeds-based ARC Building Solutions at the end of 2019.
Jim Hannon, managing director at London Fire Solutions, said: “LFS will be celebrating our 10-year anniversary next month and although it’s been hard work, we are very proud of the company we have become. In Newable Capital, we are delighted to have found a partner who shares similar values to ourselves, as well as the drive and enthusiasm to support LFS through the next chapter in our story and in our move to the new factory. We look forward to working with them to realise the potential of the business and continue to deliver high quality products and services that protect the lives of people around the UK.”
Peter Barrand, managing director at Newable Capital, commented: “We are delighted to be supporting Jim and the management team at LFS as the business moves to the new factory. We remain a committed long-term investor to the UK manufacturing sector, where companies can show true differentiation from the competition. LFS’s dedication to quality and high safety standards, along with a commitment to ongoing fire testing and the incorporation of new technologies, helps it drive industry best-practice. We have enjoyed getting to know Jim and his team, and look forward to supporting them through this next phase of growth.”