Image: From left to right Ken Blackman (previous owner), Roy Frost (Managing Director), Gary Bristow (Sales Director) and Mike Wolstenholme (Operations Director)
Well-known industry figure Roy Frost is back in the industry having bought prominent Eurocell fabricator GJB from previous owners Ken Blackman and Gary Bristow. Roy will assume position of Managing Director, spearheading a new era of growth for the £12m turnover Essex based fabricator, while Ken Blackman will retire and Gary Bristow will continue in his role as Sales Director. Mike Wolstenholme also joins the company as Operations Director, having previously spent his career in window fabrication with market leaders Epwin Group, Everest and Jeldwen.
Commenting on the acquisition Roy said: “GJB is a fantastic business with a loyal customer base and I am absolutely delighted to take the reins. Operationally the business is very strong and I’m looking forward to applying some of my own ideas to take the company to the next level. Ken put his heart and soul into the business for the last 27 years and I wish him all the best in his very well-earned retirement. We’ve renewed the leases on the factory units and already have exciting plans for growth.”
Previous owner Ken Blackman commented: “GJB has been a big part of my life for so long it was very important to me that I left the company in the right hands. When Roy expressed an interest I immediately knew it was the perfect fit – he has the experience and ability to drive the company forward and I’m delighted we were able to strike a deal.”
Ken started GJB back in 1990 with his friend and business partner Gary Bristow, from humble beginnings in farm buildings in Stebbing they developed rapidly and moved to factory units in Rayleigh where they subsequently invested in automation to supply high quality uPVC windows and doors to trade clients in the South East and beyond. GJB’s firm commitment to quality and service saw the business grow into one of Eurocell’s largest fabricators, producing in excess of 1,200 frames per week.
Sales Director and company founder Gary Bristow commented: “Ken has been instrumental in our journey from a small start-up into one of the UK’s leading trade fabricators and I would like to take this opportunity to thank him personally for his fantastic support. The acquisition is good news for GJB staff, because it gives them job security, but it’s also good news for GJB customers. Roy understands the challenges of installation and retailing in a competitive market and will bring an abundance of experience, fresh ideas plus bags of energy to the business.”
Roy Frost cut his teeth in the window industry with Everest, first as Manufacturing Director and then Business Development Director, where for over a decade they created significant growth. In 2012 Roy joined leading PVC Systems Company Deceuninck as their Managing Director, overseeing a huge and positive transformation of the UK business and 80% growth.
Interestingly, Roy hinted that this acquisition of GJB could be the first of many: “There are lots of well-run businesses in this industry with owners coming up to retirement age and I am keen to explore other opportunities,” Roy concluded.
If you want to get in touch call Roy Frost on 07808 365234
My thoughts
I like Roy a lot. We speak on a semi-regular basis, and he’s a genuine, down to earth guy. In an industry rammed full of egos, personalities and people who believe themselves to be above others, I am very happy to see him taking on this new challenge.
The end of this press release also hints to a new group being formed. Following a wider trend we are seeing in the industry at the moment where super groups are becoming even bigger, groups are becoming super groups, and brand new groups are being formed from the ground up. Someone like Roy, with his experience and deep industry knowledge should be able to see this new venture, and potential other ventures, into profitable success for him and his team.
I wish everyone involved the very best of luck with it all.
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