News Room

Date:	15th April 2005
Source:	Eastern Daily Press

Management buyout at glazing firm

A new era is being hailed at a specialist glazing firm following a management buyout.

English Architectural Glazing, based in Mildenhall, has been bought by the team that has been at its helm for the past four years. Chairman and founder Norman Sheldrake will retire.

The deal also means sister companies Specialist Glazing & Cladding (SGC) and MultiFab, which runs the factory and manufacturing, also change hands.

Mr Sheldrake said: "EAG is now in the hands of the management team that has, very effectively, been running it in recent years. I believe that my connection with EAG has now run its course and it is time to move on."

Taking over the three companies are EAG managing director Simon Gladwin, pre-construction director Edward Whipp, financial director Jeremy Cocks and business development director Charlie Dyce. They have bought EAG, SGC and MultiFab for an undisclosed sum.

The company is based on the industrial estate in Chiswick Avenue and employs 110 people, split between its HQ and sites around the UK.

Mr Gladwin said: "We view this as a natural positive step in the development and security of the group and one that we can all continue to prosper in and enjoy. This transfer of ownership will not affect the operational aspects of the business in any way and it is very much business as usual to deliver the group's record order book.

"The management team has more than 50 years' experience between them and we believe this is the natural succession."

EAG was among contractors on the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital and is on site at apartments being built next to Norwich City FC.

It has also been involved in a series of high-profile projects in London including the new Camden Lock Market, the Roundhouse arts and music venue in Camden, and Hans Crescent in Knightsbridge.

The company recently unveiled its Systemstax product, which it hopes will transform the market for frameless glazing and be used in projects such as offices and shopping centres. It involves glazing panels held in place by specially designed and engineered clamps and literally stacked one on top of another, rather than the traditional and expensive method of drilling holes through the glass units and supporting them on separate structures.

Back