Acquisition of Blakell Europlacer

The Parable Trust is now the full and sole owner of Blakell Europlacer having paid off all the loan notes from the previous owners.
After five years of significant growth across our global business following the acquisition by Parable Trust in 2013, we agreed the plan for 2018 to be a year of consolidation, in order to strengthen the foundations of the business and to prepare for the next season of growth. Here are some highlights from the first 9 months of 2018:

  • Group order intake of £22.7 million ahead of our budget of £21.5 million, representing 20% growth from £18.8 million in the prior period. Record order intake for each 3 quarters

  • Boosted by strong demand for atom orders £4.2 million, including a record order of £2 million from Shanghai GFIT (6x atoms, 3x printers & 2x storage towers)

  • Sales of £18.6 million behind our budget showing no growth in this year of consolidation

  • Record order book backlog of £8.4 million at 30 September 2018 up from £4.4 million at 31 December 2017; provides the opportunity to catch up in Q4

  • Number of customers billed over 9 months totals 520 (4% growth)

  • Customer Service Excellence Awards for both Europlacer & Speedprint – with customer satisfaction ratings of 99% at APEX USA trade show

  • UK Electronics Industry Awards for Best Customer Service and also atom3 (Aerospace, Military & Defence Product of the Year)

  • Repayment of loans for acquisition one year early