A specialist plastics fabrication business, which started life in a barn more than 30 years ago, has been sold with the help of experts from the Bristol office of accountants Haines Watts.
Marcol Fabrications (Plastics), which produces a range of high-quality thermoplastic products, was snapped up by Safety Critical Plastic Solutions Group. 
Marcol had been launched in 1990 by Colin Vye and Mark Godfrey in a farm building in Redhill, North Somerset, funded by a loan of just £9,000,
Having later relocated to Nailsea, it has grown to turn over more than £1.5m and employ 14 staff manufacturing a range of chemical storage and process tanks, ductwork and pipework skids for customers across the UK.
Instrumental to Marcol’s growth over recent years was investment nine years ago in a new vehicle and workshop equipment, communication and stock control systems.
Advice from Haines Watts meant the company claimed 20% of the qualifying capital and revenue costs, following the grant from the West of England Growth Fund.
Colin, pictured, left, with Haines Watts accountant Tim Bowden, said: “It’s just one example of how Haines Watts have helped us over the years. They were great during Covid, too.
“Like many SME owners, we’re great at what we do but not experts at finances or office management, so receiving expert professional advice is key.”
Colin, who has retired aged 59 following the firm’s sale, described the move as “the last leg of an amazing journey in business”.
He added: “When Mark and I started we were like a lot of entrepreneurs – great at what we could do but winging it a bit on the business strategy and doing whatever we needed to do to survive.
“We didn’t want our clients seeing our premises so we’d drive up to places like Yorkshire for meetings, pretending we were in the area anyway.
“We did lots of overtime, sacrificed a great deal, but never let go of our belief and our passion. We’ve been supported by some great advice along the way and I’m proud of what we’ve achieved.”
The firm was advised on all aspects of the sale by Haines Watts accountant Tim Bowden.
Clive said “When it came to selling up, Tim was great. We’ve built up a strong relationship over the years and I trusted him, alongside the lawyer and the financial adviser, to do what was in my best interests.”
Tom added: “We’re delighted to have helped Colin exit the company he founded and to have reached a satisfactory conclusion to his business career.
“There’s a reason that Haines Watts specialises in SME accountancy – we love supporting entrepreneurs on their business journeys, being partners in their growth and acting as a trusted adviser in the decisions they want to make.
“We wish Colin and Mark all the best and hope their story can be an inspiration to other entrepreneurs looking to start or finish business careers of their own.”
Safety Critical Plastic Solutions Group, which is based in Barry, near Cardiff, also has bases in Birmingham and Hampshire.
