Bristol-headquartered vehicle glass repair and replacement firm Mobile Windscreens, which trades as National Windscreens, has been acquired by Swedish group Ryds Bilglas, the Scandinavian market leader in the sector.
Mobile Windscreens, which was established by George Douglas in 1971, had revenues last year of more than £40m. It is one of the largest of 13 members of the National Windscreens consortium, the UK’s second largest vehicle glass repair and replacement specialist. 
It operates from 35 fitting centres and has a fleet of more than 230 mobile units. As well as glass repair and replacement services for vehicles it also re-calibrates ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) camera across the South West, South and West Midlands under the brand of National Windscreen.
Mr Douglas, who was the Mobile Windscreen’s principal shareholder, has now left the business following the deal. All other managers and staff will remain in the business.
Financial details of the acquisition have not been disclosed. The Bristol offices of accountancy firm Grant Thornton and TLT Solicitors supported the shareholders at all stages of the sale and project managing the process.
Mr Douglas said: “Having founded Mobile Windscreens more than 45 years ago, this deal is a momentous milestone for the business, management and employees. We worked with our advisers for some time to select a new owner that shared our values and vision for the continued growth and success of Mobile Windscreens and National Windscreens and we found that in Ryds Bilglas.
“I am very proud of what we have achieved, which was only possible through the dedication and enthusiasm of the management team and all the staff, past and present and I know I leave the business in exceptional hands under the stewardship of [managing director] Phil Lomas and the rest of the Mobile Windscreens’ board.”
Mr Lomas added: “We now find ourselves at the beginning of an exciting new chapter. The new owners recognise that a large part of the success of Mobile Windscreens is down to the hard work, dedication and expertise of our employees. We’re delighted with the outcome and all of us here at Mobile Windscreens are very much looking forward to working with the new owners.”
Ryds Bilglas CEO Anders Jensen said entering the UK was a major and important step for the firm as it continued to grow.
Ryds Bilglas was founded in 1947 by the Ryd family, which today owns a minority stake with main shareholder Nordic Capital Fund VIII.
The group has more than 150 workshops and 350 employees across Scandinavia and last year had sales of more than 700m Swedish Krona (£60m).
“Mobile Windscreens and National Windscreens stands for high quality, continuous development and very satisfied customers, just the same core values as we have in Ryds Bilglas,” said Mr Jensen.
“It makes the acquisition a perfect match and we look forward to getting started working with the company as soon as possible.”
The Grant Thornton corporate finance team included Wendy Hart, Andrew Charter, Nick Jones and Louise Kezilas, with pension advisory led by Kevin Hollister.
Grant Thornton partner Wendy Hart said: “We are delighted to have assisted George, Phil and the team in delivering a transaction which has seen all parties achieve their desired outcome.”
Associate director Andrew Charter, pictured above, added: “The new working relationship between Mobile Windscreens and Ryds Bilgas has created an exciting platform for future growth and we look forward to helping them deliver this.”
TLT said the deal was the latest in a growing number of cross-border acquisitions involving UK firms and reflected the growing interest from overseas firms keen to expand into the UK. 
Its team was led by partner and head of corporate John Wood and James Webb with support from partner Chris Crighton (pensions), legal director Mark Braude (tax), solicitor Holly Evans (corporate) and solicitor Hayley Butler (employment).
James Webb, pictured right, said: “Despite the uncertainty around Brexit, the UK remains one of the largest recipients of foreign investment.
“This, and the UK’s continuing role in the global investment and mergers and acqusitions market, show the UK remains very much ‘open for business’. The sale of Mobile Windscreens is an exciting step for the business and will help to facilitate its growth.”
