Kitchen firm set for UK expansion with Business Growth Fund investment

Uform becomes the fifth company in the province to receive investment from BGF, the UK and Ireland’s most active SME investor, which has now taken a minority shareholding in the business.

Uform designs and paint finishes a wide range of kitchen doors and accessories alongside offering an extensive range of ex-stock products, serving customers across the UK and Ireland.

The firm is known for its wide variety of choice and options and caters for all segments of the kitchen retail market.

It currently supplies more than 1,000 kitchens a week to a range of independent retailers through its market leading consumer brand, Kitchen Stori.

The company will use the investment to expand its strong offering further into the UK, Northern Irish and Republic of Ireland markets.

“We started a four-phase growth strategy in 2013 and the business has grown rapidly in that time,” said Uform CEO Eamon Donnelly.

“We’ve invested heavily in doubling the size of our operation and installed state of the art paint lines to increase our productivity and product range.

“BGF is a good match for our business and we have already built a very strong relationship with the BGF team - they have bought into our vision of where we want to take the business and the network they bring has opened up many opportunities not just here, but also across Great Britain.

“Their experience will ensure they help us scale the business, enhance our operational competencies and align our strategic plan to achieve the next few years’ planned growth,” he said.

The fund has provided more than £40m of capital to local businesses over the past three years. Its portfolio comprises family-owned housebuilder Braidwater, recycling company RiverRidge, coffee and food chain Bob & Berts; and software developer AuditComply.

“Uform has set itself an ambitious growth target for the next three years and we’re delighted that BGF’s investment will provide the catalyst to achieving those goals,” said Patrick Graham, head of Central Scotland & Northern Ireland at BGF.

“The company is a long-established family-owned business and one of the largest employers in the Toomebridge area.

“ Eamon and his team bring a wealth of experience and we look forward to helping unlock the company’s potential to be number one in their sector.”

Geoff Sharpe, head of corporate at Danske Bank, said:“Danske Bank has a longstanding and successful relationship with Uform, having supported the growth of the business as strategic banking partner for over 25 years. Eamon, Paul and the senior management team are extremely passionate about their business and we are delighted to be supporting the future growth of the business together with BGF.”