BCMS Corporate goes back to school with Timstar deal

BCMS Corporate has completed the sale of Timstar Laboratory Suppliers Ltd, a specialist supplier of laboratory equipment to the education market, based in Crewe, to Demco Europe Ltd, a UK subsidiary of the US-based Wall Family
Enterprise.

Timstar, owned by husband-and-wife team, Tim and Sue Wilton-Morgan, was founded by Tim whilst at school, building it into a multi-million pound enterprise. Today the company has over 40 employees and sources products globally in
order to meet the vast requirements of the UK Science National Curriculum. Last year the venture generated pre-tax profits in excess of £300,000 on revenues of some £4.7 million.

The sale will enable Tim, who established the business in 1970, and his wife Sue to retire and enjoy the fruits of their labour. Following the deal, Timstar will remain an independent business run by the existing management team. The sale
to Demco Europe, a specialist supplier of library products and services, is expected to accelerate Timstar’s growth by strengthening the range of products and services.

BCMS Corporate identified a significant number of potential buyers for the business and completed the sale to Demco.
Says Glen Mallaby, BCMS Corporate Deal Leader: “Although we typically identify between five and seven potential acquirers who are serious about buying a client’s business, in this case, two stood out above the others. We therefore
focussed on these with the deal then being completed more quickly than usual, enabling Tim to retire after 40 years at the helm of his business. We are delighted with the outcome as this is the second time we have worked with Demco.”

Adds Tim Wilton-Morgan, Timstar Chairman: “Timstar has been my life and I am pleased that the company will continue to hold on to the family values that have been so vital to its success. In recent years, the management team have taken
the business to new heights and with fresh support from Demco Europe they will no doubt achieve my ambition of making Timstar the number-one player in its market.”

Wisconsin-based Wall Family Enterprise is a family-owned group of five independent businesses with eight brands that serves the education market. The company generates annual revenues of close to $200 million (£121 million) and
has some 700 employees.