Monday January 13 2025
Swindon & Wiltshire News
A Bristol-based manufacturer of height safety, material lifting, and personal protection equipment has been acquired by a US firm.
Tacklestore has been bought by Vertical Supply Group for an undisclosed sum.
Tacklestore also owns and manufactures products under house brand names such as G-Force, Liftingear and LoadSurfer brands.
The Bristol firm was founded by Mike Huges in 2004 and currently operates out of its head office at Cabot Park, with seven additional depot locations across the UK.
Its turnover last year was £26.3 million.
Jeff Morris, CEO of Vertical Supply Group, said: “We are very excited to add Tacklestore to our portfolio of brands and build on the amazing base Mike created.
“By adding these new brands to our current assortment offered at our Honey Brothers locations, we can offer the safest and best-in-class products to the market either online or in-store.”
Tacklestore MD Mike Hughes added: “We had been looking for the right partner to carry on the Tacklestore legacy. We feel that our brands and people are in great hands with VSG and will open many opportunities for us to reach a global audience.”
Vertical Supply Group was established in 1960 as Sherrill Tree, initially serving arborists and tree care professionals. Over time, it evolved into VSG, expanding its portfolio to include multiple brands and products for those who work at height, becoming a leader in vertical access, life safety, and climbing equipment.
It is the sixth acquisition Vertical Supply Group has made over the past two years.
The global plasterboard market is around £50 billion and is projected to grow at 12.7 per cent with a total annual production capacity of around 14 billion m².
