Frontmatec is a leading supplier of high-tech production equipment for the global slaughterhouse industry, and currently includes five companies - Attec, ITEC, Carometec, Frontmatec, and SFK LEBLANC.

It is part of the Nordic private equity firm Axcel which has a range of mid-market companies in its portfolio and a broad base of both Danish and international investors.

Accles & Shelvoke has been manufacturing in Birmingham, UK, for over 100 years and has recently experienced increased demand from its global customer base for its high-quality cartridge-powered tools.

Frontmatec’s ownership of Accles & Shelvoke will support the growth and development of new products and new markets which will help the company increase its penetration of the global marketplace.

Accles & Shelvoke said about the acquisition: “We sell our products all over the world, both direct to end-users and through a network of over 40 distributors serving over 60 countries.

“In recent months, we have been focusing on expanding our presence globally by signing new distributors, in addition to building on the product range of our reliable and popular tools.

“Our new owners aim to develop and build the company through continued investment, and I am excited to be leading the business in achieving that goal.”

Accles & Shelvoke was formerly part of the Minworth-based Eley group, which also includes Eley Americas.

Eley, which makes 22LR sporting ammunition used in target shooting, including by Olympic athletes, supplies the cartridges to Accles & Shelvoke for their captive bolt equipment.

New owner Frontmatec is a leading global supplier of advanced slaughter lines and other production equipment to major producers such as Tönnies, Groupe Bigard, Smithfield Foods, WH Foods, Tyson Foods, Triumph Foods, Miratorg and Danish Crown, and has operations in Denmark, the Netherlands, Canada, the US and China. With the purchase of Accles & Shelvoke, Frontmatec aims to expand on its offering of slaughterhouse equipment.

Frontmatec Chairman, Arne Vraalsen said about the purchase: “Frontmatec develops world-leading customized solutions for automation in the food industry, other hygiene sensitive industries and the utilities industry.

“We are especially renowned for our high-quality systems for the entire value chain of the meat industry – from carcass grading to slaughter lines, cutting and deboning lines, hygiene systems and control systems to logistics and packaging.

“Accles and Shelvoke is a fantastic addition to our business with an existing large share of the global captive bolt equipment market, which we aim to develop further.”