A LEADING blind manufacturer is set to take on additional premises and expand its team after being taken over by a former worker.

In a deal negotiated by accountants and business advisers Anderson Barrowcliff, Polaris Blinds Ltd, which is based in East Cleveland, has been acquired by Wayne Davies after its previous owner announced plans to retire.

The firm manufactures made-to-measure blinds using British materials, with 80 per cent of its clients B2B retailers across the UK.

Wayne said: “I’ve worked for Polaris, and in the trade in general, for years as a fitter, so I’ve always been familiar with the team.

“The idea came about while I was having a drink with Polaris’ previous owner when he decided to retire. He suggested I buy the business rather than start from scratch, and here we are!”

James Dale, a partner at Anderson Barrowcliff, who negotiated the deal, said: “While there were other parties interested in purchasing Polaris, they couldn’t guarantee that the business would remain in East Cleveland or that all of the current employees would keep their jobs.

“The previous owner was only willing sell to someone who he believed would do this, and Wayne was the perfect fit."

Polaris Blinds Ltd employs three full-time and five part-time members of staff, but Wayne hopes to expand the team over the next few months.

He said: “The plan is to take on a second premises, grow the trade and retail side of the business, employ more people and become the number one name in the area for quality, made-to-measure blinds. I also want to build the business on a national level.”