Bristol-based industrial parts distributor Antifriction Components has acquired Scotland’s leading independent bearings distribution firm in a move it said demonstrated its continued confidence in the UK market.
Antifriction, one of the UK’s leading distributors of bearings and power transmission products, also said the seven-figure deal to takeover Scots Bearings gave its team the opportunity to unlock further growth opportunities.
Founded in 1986, Scots Bearings employs 60 staff at its headquarters in Aberdeen and sites in Glasgow, Dundee, Inverness and Irvine.
It offers an extensive range of industrial products including lubricants, electric motors, belts and drives and provides a repair service for gearboxes.
The company will continue to operate under its existing name alongside Antifriction’s existing sites in Edinburgh and Inverness.
The combined business will be the largest specialist distributor of critical moving parts in Scotland, with seven sites across the country. 
Antifriction Components now has 19 sites across the UK including London, Dudley, Fareham, Wickford, Bolton, Wisbech, Ellesmere Port, Grimsby, Stockton-on-Tees, Cwmbran and Belfast along with its head office in Pioneer Park, St Anne’s.
Established in 1976, in 2011 it was acquired by Italian distributors Gruppo Bianchi – one of Europe’s largest specialist distributors of power transmission, linear motion, fluid power systems and components.
Antifriction managing director Andrew Fleming said Scots Bearings founder and managing director David Jackson and his team had built a successful business and a loyal customer base “due to their commitment to providing an excellent service, which we are looking forward to continuing”.
He added: “Scotland’s a really vibrant and important market for us and this deal will make us the most significant specialist distributor of critical moving parts north of the border. 
“It will also give the Scots Bearings team access to Antifriction’s in-depth training programmes and enable their customers to benefit from our established relationships with renowned manufacturers.”
David Jackson, who will continue as Scots Bearings’ managing director, said: “As we enter this new chapter in our business history, we are very positive and excited about the opportunities it holds – not only for Scots Bearings, but for our clients as well.
“The consolidated business will be the leading bearing and power transmission supplier in Scotland.
“With Antifriction and Gruppo Bianchi’s vast knowledge and stock holding, we will be able to offer the best service available in the maintenance and repairs marketplace and the widest range of products.”
Gruppo Bianchi president and CEO Alberto Bianchi added: “With the acquisition of Scots Bearings, the UK becomes our second largest market in continental Europe, with turnover exceeding £50m.
“Our group is relentlessly working to make industry more profitable by providing customers with the best engineered worldwide production of bearings, power transmission, pneumatic, automation and related services.”
South west accountancy firm Bishop Fleming provided corporate finance advice to Antifriction, while Aberdeen-based Hall Morrice acted for Scots Bearings.
Scottish law firms Lindsays and Burness Paull acted as legal advisors to Antifriction and Scots Bearings respectively.
Pictured above, back row from left: Andrew Fleming of Antifriction and Tom Duncan of Scots Bearings. Front left: Alberto Bianchi of Gruppo Bianchi with Scots Bearings’ founder David Jackson
