03/04/23

Exciting Future Ahead As We Are Acquired By Leading UK Investment Group

Exciting opportunities are coming to us at Addfield Environmental Systems Ltd (Addfield) and Addfield Projects Ltd this spring. Set to transform out manufacturing operation and facilities to new levels following our acquisition by an investment fund advised by Darwin Alternatives.

Representing a continuing investment into the future of Addfield and our sister company Addfield Projects Ltd., Both companies are the result of the vision and over a decade’s commitment of Cannock-based entrepreneur Steven Lloyd who acquired Addfield back in 2008. Turning it from a one-man operation supplying agricultural incinerators to the UK into a global leader in thermal treatment technologies catering to all industries and having installations in over 140 countries alongside a cabinet full of awards.

A genuine Staffordshire success story Addfield is set to continue on this trajectory with the benefit of increased investment made possible by the investment fund and their commitment to the long-term future of the business and its potential for growth.

While ownership has changed, the leadership will be remaining the same, guaranteeing the high quality of service that customers have come to expect alongside a number of improvements which will be made possible through this valuable injection of funding. Under this new ownership, we will be able to securely embark on a series of exciting expansion activities that have been on the drawing board for a number of years, including new ‘greener’ technologies as well as expanding further into fresh markets.

“This represents a major opportunity for us to take Addfield to the next level. Following continuous growth in orders in recent years, we have almost been a victim of our own success. As the scale of orders has grown, we have endeavoured to keep up and keep ahead of the industry. To maintain our reputation as a global leader, there are a number of improvements that we are ready to make to streamline our production line and improve our services to our customers. Having the support of the Darwin group gives us access to a fresh network of businesses to be a part of, and there is some real synergy between their existing investment and Addfield, which makes Darwin the right partner for us. Darwin’s investment into the workforce and the facilities will help to keep Addfield on the path as the number one manufacturer of incineration equipment, waste-to-energy systems and pet cremation solutions. I would like to say on behalf of everyone here at Addfield a massive thank you to Steve and Karen. You have given us all so many opportunities and happy memories, thank you.” Derek Carr, Managing Director.

“This was an incredibly difficult decision for me to make; however, I have reached a retirement age in my life that I have been planning for a long time. When I established Addfield back in 2007, I wanted to create a family business, not just through ownership but with its employees and partners. The journey we have all been on this last 16 years has been a remarkable and one I feel privileged to have shared with so many great people. It was most important for me personally that I endeavoured to find the perfect partner to continue the development of the business and its employees. I have always maintained that the business’s greatest assets were its people. The search for the correct partner has been some two years in the making. With Darwin I believe we have found the perfect partner to help Addfield grow and develop its people and product portfolios. It has been a privilege to work with the team at Addfield for all these years watching them develop their skills and maturing into the professionals they are today. And not forgetting the Addfield business partners around the world, helping them develop new business models based around products developed and built in Staffordshire. The international development of new partners and markets have had a profound contribution to the growth of the Addfield brand’s international presence with a huge contribution to many local economies. It has been an incredible journey from quite humble beginnings to International award-winning market leaders. I thank you all for allowing me to be part of your journey and fully believe that Addfield will continue to thrive under the new Darwin ownership, I wish Addfield and all their partners every success in the future.” Steve Lloyd – Addfield ……..Simply Built Better!

“We are delighted to have completed the acquisition from Steve Lloyd. He has built up a great business with an excellent management team. We look forward to working closely with them to develop and grow the product portfolio.” James Penney, Chairman, Darwin Alternative Investment Management.

Addfield first began back in 1982, a one-man operation creating reliable and economical agricultural incinerators for the UK exclusively. Recognising the quality of the machines and untapped potential for the business in 2008, Addfield was purchased by local entrepreneur Steve Lloyd to be an addition to his existing refractory business. Starting out modestly with only three full-time staff, it was not long before Addfield became Steves’s main priority as it began making waves on a global scale achieving its first international sale in 2012, since this time becoming established in 142 countries and employing a permanent workforce of 55, alongside establishing an office in the USA and achieving some of the largest individual orders in their history in recent months. Branching out into having a second business in 2021 with the separation of the bespoke solutions division into Addfield Projects, which has already completed several incredible high-capacity, bespoke and complex waste treatment systems.

A definable success story for the region as we have relied on an experienced and specialised workforce to build what are known as the most reliable and efficient solutions on the market. Rekindling many flagging skills and giving refractory masonry a second lease of life in the UK

The Darwin fund is committed to investing in Addfield’s research and development to bring more advanced and efficient incinerators to the market. This investment will allow us to expand our product range and improve our production facilities, increasing our ability to meet the growing demand for incinerators across the globe.

The acquisition marks a significant milestone in Addfields history, and the fund’s investment will only strengthen our position as a leading incinerator manufacturer. A wonderful opportunity for Addfield and Staffordshire as the planned expansion over the next five years will look to create many sustainable and quality jobs for the area.