ThinCats supports Ranger Fire and Security

February 21, 2024

ThinCats provider of alternative finance provider to mid-sized SMEs has supported Hyperion Equity Partners with funding to launch Ranger Fire and Security, a new national group in the fire and security industry with two highly-regarded businesses in the sector.

Hyperion Equity Partners is a private investment firm focused on backing high quality management teams with proven and resilient businesses looking to embark on the next stage of their growth through buy and build strategies.

Significant investment from Hyperion, supported by funding from ThinCats, has enabled the acquisition of two businesses; Amerex Fire International (Amerex) and Ignis Fire Protection (Ignis), to form the new group.

Ignis, founded in 2012 and headquartered in the Midlands is a fire alarm, detection, and security business serving over 300 customers from a range of sectors. The company offers a wide range of services including annual maintenance, remedial works and installations of fire alarms and security equipment. Established in 1988, Amerex is a family-run specialist suppression (vehicle, kitchen & industrial) installation and maintenance company and a distributor of Amerex extinguishers in Europe.

Mark Bridges has been appointed CEO and together with new CFO David Lee, and Managing Director Ian Teader, will lead the combined group which now boasts national coverage.

The funding will provide a platform from which the group can continue its expansion via an ambitious buy and build strategy, with a number of complementary businesses already in discussions, and further plans to acquire additional businesses from the industry over the next 18-24 months, having already identified a number of suitable targets.

Paul Mahon, Hyperion Equity Partners commented: “In partnership with Stuart and the ThinCats team, we are delighted to be backing Ranger in their strategy to offer a market leading service combined with integrated offering for customers. The initial acquisitions provide a strong foundation for further growth and expansion in product and service offerings. We are excited by the future opportunities for the Group and look forward to supporting the Ranger team and their strategy.”

Mark Bridges, CEO, Ranger Fire and Security said: “We are excited to welcome Ignis Fire Protection and Amerex Fire International to the team, and this is only the start. We are always looking to collaborate with fire and security entrepreneurs and businesses to whom we can offer support to help them scale in line with their ambitions, and we fully expect to announce additional businesses joining our company very soon.”

ThinCats Director Stuart Thompson said: “Paul and the team at Hyperion have established a distinctive and attractive proposition which has all the ingredients to build on its tremendous success. We are excited about what lies ahead for the business and are looking forward to playing our part in its future.

“This transaction also marks a significant milestone for our Transitional Capital offering, which has now supported ambitious and growing businesses like Ranger Fire and Security with over £100m in funding in the last two years.”

Irwin Mitchel provided legal support for the transaction and Cortus conducted financial due diligence.

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