Chesterfield-based engineering supply chain solution provider
CBE+ has completed a merger with electroless nickel plating company NiTEC UK, creating a multi-million-pound turnover business. The joining of the two businesses began in 2017 when Cooper Brown Enterprises (now CBE+) first acquired NiTEC UK. The legal merger completes the integration of the two businesses and consolidates the CBE+ group’s capabilities to include electroless nickel plating (ENP) alongside precision engineering, gear cutting, assembly and test facilities. It also takes the headcount at the 70,000ft
2site in Chesterfield from 65 to 88.
The merger is the final stage in realising the vision of CBE+ founders Marie Cooper and Chris Brown to deliver an integrated supply chain solution. CEO Marie Cooper said: “This is the day we have been working towards for the last five years. Customers can now access all of our services from a single location and a single approved supplier, reducing transport costs and eliminating the inconvenience of approving multiple suppliers. The NiTEC UK business and team relocated to the CBE+ site earlier this year, so customers can expect the same high levels of customer service, quality and delivery from the same expert team.”
Formed in 2017 prior to the acquisition of BG Engineering by Marie Cooper and Chris Brown, Cooper Brown Engineering went on to acquire shares in NiTEC and Spire Laboratories. This was followed by the acquisition of Pentag Gears and Oilfield Equipment in 2018, and a wire electrical discharge machining (EDM) facility in 2021.
The company, which rebranded as CBE+ in 2019, now provides multi-disciplinary engineering services to manufacturers in a variety of sectors including aerospace, defence, automotive, oil and gas, medical, renewables and general engineering.
Technical director Chris Brown said: “Our vision in 2017 was to create a business that combined multiple engineering services to deliver tailored solutions for customers, and 1 October marked the final step in that vision becoming a reality — we are excited about what the future holds.”