THE managing director of a moulded rubber components manufacturer is looking forward to a bright future after it was taken over by a global technology group.

Metflex Holding Company, of Great Harwood, has been acquired by Freudenberg in a deal that will see it become part of its international Sealing Technologies division.

Founded in 1919, Metflex specialises in the manufacture and supply of precision moulded components, rubber seals and diaphragms across a multi-industry customer base.

Freudenberg is a globally active group of companies that has been under family ownership since it was founded in 1849. Its headquarters are in Weinheim, near Mannheim in Germany.

Metflex shareholders and directors Philip Rogerson and John Holland will leave the company but Mr McCarthy will remain, along with the senior management team.

Mr McCarthy said: “The management team welcomes the technological expertise and solid financial strength of the Freudenberg Group and looks forward to the long-term development of the company’s products and markets with renewed energy.”

Freudenberg’s group chief executive Mohsen Sohi also welcomed the development. He said: “With this acquisition, we are strengthening our established businesses in general industry with additional innovative technical solutions.”

Freudenberg’s Sealing Technologies division is the industry-leading specialist in sealing applications and supplies, as well as developing products for customers across a wide variety of industries, including the auto industry, civil aviation, machine-building, ship construction, food, pharmaceuticals and the agricultural and construction equipment sectors.

The management team at Metflex was supported by accountancy and advisory firm CLB Coopers, part of the Baldwins Group, with David Travis and Rob Richardson from its corporate finance team and Rob Wardle and Simon Denye from its tax team assisting in the transaction.

Legal advice was provided to Metflex and the selling shareholders by Pinsent Masons, with assistance from Andrew Senior and Catherine Hemsworth from its corporate team and Andrew McCarthy from its tax team, each based in Pinsent Masons’ Leeds office.