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Industry Talk

Battery Ventures acquires James Heal

In partnership with Battery, James Heal will continue its long-standing tradition of pursuing growth.

30th September 2014

Innovation in Textiles
 |  Halifax

Industrial, Clothing/​Footwear

James Heal, a leading designer and manufacturer of test instrumentation and test materials for the textile and garment industry, has been acquired by Battery Ventures.

Boston based Battery Ventures is an investment firm focused on technology and innovation worldwide with $4.7 billion in assets under management.

“We are very proud to be associated with the James Heal brand and the team; they are universally recognised as the technology, quality and thought leaders in the textile testing market.  Together, I believe we will achieve a new level of international success,” said Battery Ventures General Partner Jesse Feldman.

Comprehensive product line

James Heal offers a comprehensive product line of test instruments, test materials, services and calibration to the textile market. The company tests a wide range of textile properties including strength, abrasion, colour-fastness, flammability, pilling, snagging and shrinking.

“Battery is an experienced and knowledgeable investor in the test and measurement market,” said David Repper, James Heal’s Managing Director since 1982. “We look forward to working together to continue the James Heal methodology of unparalleled textile-technology expertise, design and innovation.” The company has won two Queen’s Awards, in 2012 and 1995, the highest and most prestigious corporate business award in the United Kingdom.

Changes in leadership

Following the acquisition, Amanda McLaren, the company’s current Manufacturing Director, will take over the responsibilities of Managing Director from David Repper. The rest of the board of directors, including Elliot Rich, Sales Director, Neil Pryke, Innovation Director, and Michael Minich, Financial Director, will continue to lead the company under the new ownership.

David Repper will continue to be involved as a consultant to James Heal on a part-time basis to assist with product development, customer relations and operations, and also to help to ensure a smooth transition period.

As part of the deal, Battery executive-in-residence Don Templeman will join James Heal as Chairman and Director. “The opportunity to put my industrial-technology background to work with such an established, yet cutting-edge company is tremendously appealing, and I look forward to working with existing management to take James Heal’s business to the next level,” Templeman said.

www.james-heal.co.uk

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