Maven supports Crawford Scientific’s acquisition of Hall Analytical

Maven has invested £2.2 million to support Crawford Scientific’s acquisition of Hall Analytical Laboratories.

Maven originally completed a £3.9 million investment in Crawford in August 2014 and from the outset identified the provision of analytical services as a key element of Crawford’s long-term growth strategy. Hall and Crawford have a strong existing trading partnership and there is significant potential for Crawford to utilise its successful sales and marketing capabilities to develop and promote the Hall brand and offering.

Established in 1985, Crawford provides scientific products and technical services to a wide range of industries including the pharmaceutical and industrial sectors. Its range of value-add technical support services which includes training and consultancy, has helped differentiate the business from its competitors.

Manchester-based Hall is a contract research organisation providing a range of analytical services with an emphasis on mass spectrometry detection technologies. Virtually all of Hall’s services are mandated by stringent UK and international industry regulations and only a handful of laboratories globally are able to offer the specialised services provided by Hall’s highly trained and experienced team. As a result Hall has established a loyal and growing client base in the pharmaceutical, industrial and environmental sectors.

David Milroy, Investment Director at Maven, said: "There are compelling reasons for Crawford’s acquisition of the Hall business not least of which is the strong customer loyalty that Hall enjoys, and the addition of its highly skilled team will only serve to consolidate Crawford’s enviable position as the UK’s leading provider of chromatography supplies and technical services. Since August we have developed a strong partnership with Crawford and we look forward to supporting Sam and his team further as they integrate the Hall business.”

Sam Crawford, Managing Director at Crawford Scientific, added: “We are delighted to welcome Malcolm Kimber and his team at Hall into the Crawford Group. The two companies have worked successfully together over a number of years to create a growing and exciting analytical services business and with additional resource we believe we can grow this business significantly.”