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A Bristol-based engineering and manufacturing group has acquired a Telford acoustic foam and rubber products firm for an undisclosed sum.

Avon Group, which was founded in Bristol more than 40 years ago, has added Acousta Products to its group of businesses.

Acousta is a 25-year-old company operating from a 25,000 sq ft facility in the West Midlands, where it makes products for the automotive, medical, air conditioning and packaging industries.

Rob Hamilton, the son of the founder of Acousta, will stay on as general manager following the deal.

The acquisition of Acousta is the third in less than two years for Avon Group. Since 2020, the business has also acquired Cheltenham-based plastic mouldings business Edgewest Plastics (º£½ÇÊÓƵ) and Corby-based gasket manufacturer Scandura. It takes the number of companies in the group to a total of nine.

Mark Rushin, group director of Avon Group, said after 40 years of expansion, the business was continuing to pursue a strategy of growth.

He said: "As a group we have shown tremendous resilience and have continued to expand during very challenging times.

"The acquisition of Acousta Products makes perfect sense for us and for Acousta as we serve similar markets. It will create exciting new opportunities for future growth for Acousta as part of the group.”

Mr Hamilton said the deal would give Acousta "greater cope for growth".

"This represents a significant leap forward for Acousta and offers us the opportunity to continue to operate as an independent business whilst benefiting from being part of a larger group," he said.

"We will continue to operate from our existing premises and retain all existing members of staff, so it really is a “win-win” situation.”