Fire safety specialist Alpine Fire Engineers has secured a £70m refinancing package that has already helped it complete a major acquisition.
Bury-based Alpine underwent a management buyout in 2022 with the support of private equity firm WestBridge. Now it has secured a funding package with Shawbrook Bank and HSBC that it says will support future expansion.
The facility this month financed Alpine’s takeover of fellow fire suppression specialist Hampshire-based DAS Fire Limited.
Steven Nanda, CEO at Alpine, said: “We would like to thank the team at Shawbrook for their continued support and also the team at HSBC, who join us on the next phase of our exciting journey. Having them both and our partners, WestBridge in support, will accelerate our ambitions of becoming the leading fire suppression specialist for complex environments.”
Thomas Dutton, senior investment manager at WestBridge, said: “Alpine has driven fantastic growth since our investment in 2022 and this new debt facility brings a level of flexibility and certainty to help Alpine realise the next chapter of expansion and future growth.
“It has been a busy two years for the team with new senior additions, new IT systems being implemented, a 30% increase in headcount, a strategic bolt-on, all whilst being at the forefront of ESG initiatives in the sector. The addition of HSBC to the funding Shawbrook have provided since the original buyout, is very exciting and we are looking forward to continuing to support the management team as it pursues further development.”
Jake Taylor, director at HSBC Ƶ, Leveraged Finance said: “It is an exciting time for the business, which has demonstrated fantastic growth in recent years, and the DAS acquisition is a highly complementary addition to the wider group. We look forward to working with management and WestBridge to support the company's future growth ambitions."
Deepak Parekh, senior director at Shawbrook Financial Sponsors, said: “With the support of WestBridge, Steve and his management team have delivered very strong results since the buyout in December 2022 and made huge strides in scaling the business. We are delighted to be partnering with them via this refinancing package to demonstrate our on-going support”.
The advisers to the deal were Clearwater (debt advisory), Pinsent Masons (legal counsel for Alpine), BDO (financial due diligence) and Eversheds Sutherland (legal counsel for Shawbrook Bank & HSBC).
DAS Fire was founded in 2013 and specialises in supplying fire detection and suppression systems to the data centre market. After its acquisition by Alpine, DAS Fire's management team will continue to lead operations, alongside their existing team of 24.
Stuart Parker, managing director at DAS Fire, said: "Joining forces with Alpine Fire marks the beginning of a transformative chapter for both our organisations. This union goes beyond combining our extensive experience—it's about creating a powerhouse that will revolutionise how fire safety solutions are delivered in complex, mission-critical environments. Together, we'll push the boundaries of innovation while maintaining our unwavering commitment to excellence and safety. “
Law firm Browne Jacobson advised DAS Fire’s shareholders. Clare Hanna, partner at Browne Jacobson, said: "This acquisition represents a pivotal moment in the fire safety industry's evolution toward more sustainable practices.”
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