APT Controls Ltd - Luke Johnson's risk capital partners invests in APT Control

Major private equity business invests in ‘compelling opportunity’

APT Controls Ltd, the group of companies that includes the high-security vehicle access control specialists APT Systems, has signalled a major growth initiative following the acquisition of a minority stake in the business by the private equity investor Risk Capital Partners.
The Company is looking to significantly grow the size of the business over the next five years, and take full advantage of APT’s leading position in delivering high security vehicle access solutions approved to the highest military specifications. To support this growth, the Company is also investing significantly in its existing infrastructure, including a total refurbishment of its headquarters building in Harrow, and a commitment to increase significantly the current number of employees focused on customer service.
Andrew Sampson, Chairman of APT Controls Ltd explains: “As well as bringing additional funding to the table, Risk Capital Partners also bring expertise in taking companies to a new level of growth. We see, as they do, the tremendous opportunity in this market for further organic growth, as well as expanding by acquisition, and their support means we are now in a position to properly realise our ambitions.”
Risk Capital Partners, a private equity business chaired by Luke Johnson, has a stated mission of only investing in ‘compelling opportunities’. He says: “This is clearly a growth industry and it is a great opportunity for us to join forces in order to help this market leader grow – both organically and through acquisition.”
At a practical level, two of Risk Capital Partners’ directors will join the Board of APT to help steer it through the new phase of development. Work on the office refurbishment has already begun, and when concluded will see new high-quality showrooms, training suites and production facilities. Project management and customer support, two areas that APT sees as being vital to its future plans and which already account for more than half of APT’s 150 employees, will also be significantly enhanced.
Mr Sampson concludes: “We intend to build a significant group providing leading-edge solutions for access control. We believe this is now achievable with the backing of a hands-on and innovative investor such as Luke Johnson’s Risk Capital Partners.”
APT's solutions cover a broad range of products and applications, but all centred around the theme of 'access' and access control. APT Systems business provides security gates, barriers and blockers that are approved for use in the UK and internationally. Its sister company, APT SkiData supplies revenue parking solutions which are used by nearly all of the key airports in the UK as well most of the major shopping centres as well as pedestrian access control products which are installed at a number of leading football clubs and well-known leisure attractions. The APT Headcount division has supplied pedestrian counting solutions to several multi-site retail chains.
Last year (2006) the company achieved sales in excess of £20 million.

Email: imcintyre@aga.co.uk