Vehicle
access control systems 
APT Controls Ltd - Luke Johnson's risk capital partners invests in APT Control
Major private equity business invests in ‘compelling
opportunity’
APT Controls Ltd, the group of companies that includes the
high-security vehicle access control specialists APT Systems,
has signalled a major growth initiative following the
acquisition of a minority stake in the business by the private
equity investor Risk Capital Partners.
The Company is looking to significantly grow the size of the
business over the next five years, and take full advantage of
APT’s leading position in delivering high security vehicle
access solutions approved to the highest military
specifications. To support this growth, the Company is also
investing significantly in its existing infrastructure,
including a total refurbishment of its headquarters building in
Harrow, and a commitment to increase significantly the current
number of employees focused on customer service.
Andrew Sampson, Chairman of APT Controls Ltd explains: “As well
as bringing additional funding to the table, Risk Capital
Partners also bring expertise in taking companies to a new level
of growth. We see, as they do, the tremendous opportunity in
this market for further organic growth, as well as expanding by
acquisition, and their support means we are now in a position to
properly realise our ambitions.”
Risk Capital Partners, a private equity business chaired by Luke
Johnson, has a stated mission of only investing in ‘compelling
opportunities’. He says: “This is clearly a growth industry and
it is a great opportunity for us to join forces in order to help
this market leader grow – both organically and through
acquisition.”
At a practical level, two of Risk Capital Partners’ directors
will join the Board of APT to help steer it through the new
phase of development. Work on the office refurbishment has
already begun, and when concluded will see new high-quality
showrooms, training suites and production facilities. Project
management and customer support, two areas that APT sees as
being vital to its future plans and which already account for
more than half of APT’s 150 employees, will also be
significantly enhanced.
Mr Sampson concludes: “We intend to build a significant group
providing leading-edge solutions for access control. We believe
this is now achievable with the backing of a hands-on and
innovative investor such as Luke Johnson’s Risk Capital
Partners.”
APT's solutions cover a broad range of products and
applications, but all centred around the theme of 'access' and
access control. APT Systems business provides security gates,
barriers and blockers that are approved for use in the UK and
internationally. Its sister company, APT SkiData supplies
revenue parking solutions which are used by nearly all of the
key airports in the UK as well most of the major shopping
centres as well as pedestrian access control products which are
installed at a number of leading football clubs and well-known
leisure attractions. The APT Headcount division has supplied
pedestrian counting solutions to several multi-site retail
chains.
Last year (2006) the company achieved sales in excess of £20
million.
Email: imcintyre@aga.co.uk