Taylor Made Franchising acquires metal fabrication business

Multi-brand franchisor buys Aftech Engineering. Company will produce equipment for existing franchise operations

Franchise group Taylor Made Franchising has acquired metal fabrication company Aftech Engineering.

Alongside existing work, Aftech will begin manufacturing replacement machinery parts for Taylor Made Franchising’s franchise operations StumpBusters and Iconic Window Cleaning, allowing franchisees to order and buy products more quickly and cheaply. 

StumpBusters, whose franchisees grind tree stumps for domestic and commercial customers, began production of its own 38hp stump grinder in 2019. 

Aftech Engineering specialises in all forms of metal fabrication, including laser cutting, welding and forming. 

The company produces shopfitting equipment and works extensively within the electrical and medical industries. There will be no change to staffing at the company.

Retiring owner Len Dean joined the firm on leaving school at 17. He joined a directorship with the former owner in 1980 and took over the company solely in 1995. 

Len grew the business so successfully that in 2003 his wife Anne came on board to assist him.  They then ran the business together as joint managing directors, until their sale to Taylor Made Franchising.

Len says: “The sale of the business was smooth and simple - Darren [Taylor, owner of Taylor Made Franchising] is a straightforward man who is experienced in acquiring businesses. 

“He made the process pain and stress free and I’d thoroughly recommend him.”

Darren says: “I’m very pleased to have acquired Aftech Engineering and wish Len and Anne a well deserved retirement. I’d also like to welcome all their staff to the Taylor Made Franchising group. 

“Aftech have built a solid reputation for producing excellent metal goods and we look forward to seeing them thrive and grow. 

“Len’s son-in-law Ken Morris will take over the day-to-day running of the business.

“We will be using their skills to produce equipment for our existing franchise operations. 

“For a franchisor to be able to manufacture parts cheaper and faster than our competitors can only be good for our franchisees. 

“As a franchisor, our job is to constantly improve and update the business for the benefit of our franchisees and we’re delighted to be adding this new service to our offering.”

Taylor Made Franchising also owns Wilkins Chimney Sweep, PVC Vendo and Thomas Cleaning.