PF Copeland Ltd and PFC Rainwater Systems, Mallusk manufacturing and construction supply firms, have been purchased by the Unicorn Group, a Lisburn based manufacturer.

PF Copeland is among Ireland's leading metal fabricators and specialises in stainless steel and mild steel fabrications. Its products include tanks and silos for dairies, food processing and manufacturing companies, distilleries, breweries and bakeries.

PFC Rainwater Systems provides a range of services and rainwater products for the construction industry in aluminium, cast aluminium, cast iron, galvanised steel and stainless steel.

The firms, established 20 years ago, employ 21 staff together at their premises in Mallusk.

The Unicorn Group is a conglomerate which manufactures a wide range of high-quality products including medical and recycling bins, washroom products, vending machines and floor tiles.

Its staff cohort of 85 will increase by 25% following the sale, with a total of 106 employees.

Discussing the acquisition, Roger Pannell, Managing Director of Unicorn Group, says: "PF Copeland is a well-established company with a strong reputation for excellence in engineering. We recognise the strength of the PF Copeland brand and look forward to building on the company's success to date and its proud heritage by exploring further business opportunities."

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Peter Bloomfield, Finance Director at PF Copeland Ltd welcomed the announcement: "PF Copeland Ltd is a third-generation company and we are extremely proud of our heritage. This acquisition by Unicorn Group provides a great opportunity for the business in terms of accessing new markets. Unicorn Group is committed to keeping business in Northern Ireland and there is a natural synergy between the services that PF Copeland Ltd and PFC Rainwater Systems provide and those that Unicorn Group offers. Essentially, the acquisition will extend Unicorn Group's product portfolio, while the PF Copeland Ltd and PFC Rainwater Systems brands will be able to access new opportunities. It really is a very exciting time for the company and our loyal and committed staff."

Roger Pannell from Unicorn Group continued: "I would like to take this opportunity to thank the excellent staff right across the Unicorn Group business for all of their efforts growing sales globally. Everyone from production and accounts to customer service and store staff play a vital role in supporting the sales team. We are continuing to expand and will be creating additional opportunities for ambitious individuals who wish to be part of a thriving Northern Ireland business firmly established on the international stage."

Discussing future plans, Mr Pannell said: "Since it was established 20 years ago Unicorn Group has acquired seven separate trading businesses across the UK, Ireland, Belgium and Spain. We have made great strides to improve our brand and product recognition globally and the results are evident with entry into over a dozen new markets in the last three years."

Unicorn Group's most recent acquisition was in 2016 when it acquired an established interlocking flooring company in Belgium transferring production from its facility in Spain to Northern Ireland. Its growth trajectory led the group to decide to make a major investment in 2017 and move its existing manufacturing sites in Lisburn and Markethill to the former Coca-Cola site in Lambeg comprising industrial, storage and office facilities totalling 17.5 acres.

In April 2018 The Queen's Awards for Enterprise announced Unicorn Flooring as recipient of the award for International Trade - Excellence in Export 2018. The awards are billed as the UK's most prestigious business awards, recognising and celebrating business excellence across the UK.

(JG/MH)