North-west based Britplas, a leading commercial glazing specialist, has announced that the company’s owners have transferred their equity to an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT), ‘marking a momentous shift’ in the company’s ownership structure, and ‘a significant milestone in its journey towards sustainable growth and employee empowerment’.
An Employee Ownership Trust is a legal entity that holds a stake in a company on behalf of its employees. The transaction was completed on 5 September 2024, with owners, Kevin Gorman and John Blackwell transferring 100% of their equity in Britplas companies to its EOT. Britplas, whose head office and manufacturing facility are in Warrington, is well-known for its ‘ground-breaking’ Safevent anti-ligature window – specially developed for mental health environments, and which it says ‘has been at the forefront of the industry for two decades, both domestically and internationally’. The company also designs, manufactures, and installs, glazed façades for commercial buildings nationwide.
Established in 2004, Britplas says it has ‘earned numerous accolades’ over the past two decades for its ‘commitment to product innovation, excellence, and client satisfaction’. It has also experienced ‘remarkable growth’, seeing expansion in the UK and international markets, and now boasts a group turnover of over £30 m.
Former Britplas owners Kevin Gorman and John Blackwell will continue leading the business with the same management team, ensuring continuity of service and ongoing commitment to the company’s vision and established values.
John Blackwell, Britplas Group MD (pictured), said: “The move to an EOT model is a hugely positive step for Britplas and its employees, which now stand at over 100. I am immensely proud of what our team has achieved, and we are already seeing that by further empowering our employees as stakeholders in the business, we are helping promote a strong sense of shared purpose and responsibility which will create a platform for further growth.”
Kevin Gorman, Chairman of Britplas, added: “We are delighted that 100% ownership will be given to the trust on behalf of our staff, allowing them to share in the future success of the business. Ours has been an amazing journey of development, and I have no doubt the company will continue going from strength to strength.”
