Educational equipment supplier Findel has acquired Preston-based fitness business Gym Gear, extending its sports portfolio into the design, supply, and installation of commercial gym facilities.
The acquisition was completed by Findel, part of France’s Manutan Group, with the acquired business continuing to operate independently. Financial terms have not been disclosed.
Gym Gear employs 26 people, all of whom will remain with the company following the transaction. Directors Richard Lambert and David Bulcock will continue leading the business, while fellow founder Roy Bulcock is expected to retire after a short transition period.
Founded in 2005, Gym Gear supplies commercial fitness equipment and designs facilities for customers across education, leisure, public services, and emergency services. Its work includes developing complete gyms rather than simply supplying individual pieces of exercise equipment.
The company operates from premises on Roman Way Industrial Estate in Preston. Its services encompass planning facility layouts, specifying appropriate equipment, supplying the selected products, and managing their installation.
These projects require a combination of product knowledge and practical design expertise. Customers developing a fitness facility must account for the available floor space, expected user numbers, equipment requirements, accessibility, and the continuing operation and maintenance of the installation.
Findel already has an established position supplying educational resources, equipment, and furniture to schools and other institutions. Its existing product portfolio includes Davies Sports, which provides physical education and sports equipment for schools, clubs, and local authorities.
Gym Gear adds expertise in facilities requiring more substantial exercise equipment and specialist installation. The acquisition therefore broadens the range of sports-related requirements Findel can meet through its existing relationships with educational institutions and public-sector customers.
Within Manutan Group, the new business will also complement Casal Sport, the French supplier of sports equipment. The two brands serve related markets but operate in different countries, creating opportunities for the group to share product knowledge and expand the services offered to institutional customers.
Findel’s chief executive Chris Mahady has identified further development of Gym Gear’s products and services as a priority. The acquiring group intends to provide resources supporting growth while retaining the experience and customer relationships of the existing team.
For Gym Gear, the arrangement provides access to a larger organisation without requiring an immediate change to its operating identity. Customers will continue dealing with its established management and staff, preserving continuity across ongoing equipment supply and installation projects.
Findel itself became part of Manutan Group in March 2024. The French business-to-business distribution company acquired the educational supplier to expand its presence in the British education market and strengthen its wider European distribution activities.
Findel supplies more than 32,000 educational products and exports to over 130 countries. Its operations extend across general classroom resources, science equipment, furniture, specialist learning materials, and physical education products.
The addition of Gym Gear introduces a more project-oriented service alongside those established distribution activities. Commercial gym installations involve design and commissioning work that differs from the purchase and delivery of standard educational supplies.
That distinction gives the enlarged group additional specialist capability while retaining the benefits of its existing procurement and customer networks. Gym Gear’s management will continue overseeing the technical work, supported by the resources and commercial relationships available through Findel.
The acquisition has been completed, with all employees retained and the acquired business continuing under its existing leadership arrangements.
You must be logged in to post a comment.