Inflexion acquires Cawood Scientific

Inflexion has completed the buyout of Cawood Scientific (‘Cawood’), the UK’s largest independent provider of analytical laboratory testing services for land-based industries.

Founded over 25 years ago, Cawood delivers highly accredited analytical services to organisations within the agriculture and renewable energy sectors. The business serves over 3,500 customers across three divisions; NRM Laboratories, Sciantec Analytical and Sci-Tech Laboratories. Its c.170 employees operate across four laboratories in Berkshire, Yorkshire, Shropshire and Norfolk.

Cawood’s growth is underpinned by market tailwinds as food quality assurance and agricultural efficiencies increasingly demand a larger share of the political agenda. The company is at forefront of developments in the agricultural sector as testing and data analytics play a key role in quality control and sustainable food production.

Inflexion will work with management team further scale the business through an accelerated acquisitive growth strategy into adjacent markets. We will also assist Cawood in building its data and software capabilities to expand its core service provisions.

Simon Turner, Managing Partner at Inflexion, commented: “We are delighted to have invested in Cawood. The business has enjoyed strong growth over the last 25 years. It joins a number of comparable businesses within our portfolio such as British Engineering Services and Kynetec. We look forward to working in partnership with the ambitious management team to support Cawood’s expansion.”

Nigel Patrick and Linda Radnor, Managing Director and Operations Director at Cawood Scientific, commented: “We are delighted that the Cawood business is partnering with Inflexion to help us achieve the next stage of growth for the Company. With a Chairman of the calibre of Lord Curry of Kirkharle and the backing of Inflexion we firmly believe the Company is extremely well placed to serve and grow within the agri-foods market in which we operate. We look forward to working closely with Inflexion in continuing to grow the business.”

The Inflexion deal team comprised of Carl Wormald, Abhishek Majumdar and Henry Arundel; Carl will join the board on completion.