Millgate Group Ltd (“Millgate Group”) the parent company of Continental Sports Ltd, (“Continental”), is delighted to announce the acquisition of Universal Services (Sports Equipment) Ltd, (“Universal”). This acquisition creates a group focused on the supply of equipment to, and fit-out of, facilities for indoor and outdoor sports, physical education, sports halls, gymnastics and trampolining.
Continental and Universal both manufacture, supply, install, service and maintain sports equipment in primary and secondary schools, leisure centres, universities, sports clubs, high-performance sports centres, and sports halls throughout the United Kingdom and overseas.
The two UK-based manufacturing companies had a 2024 combined turnover of over £13m and will remain as distinct businesses operated by their existing management teams. Both companies will continue to offer a wide range of differentiated products and services to their customers at market-leading prices under their own brands. Continental and Universal will continue to operate from their factories, offices and warehouses in, respectively, Huddersfield, West Yorkshire and Maldon, Essex, providing efficient nationwide coverage.
The acquisition was made using the group’s cash resources. No external finance was required, leaving the group debt-free after the transaction.
“We are delighted to provide a home for Continental and Universal - two Great British manufacturing businesses - to enable them to continue to thrive, to facilitate their ongoing growth and to ensure their longevity. Continental and Universal have been providing sports facility design expertise, quality manufacturing, fit-out services and market-leading sports equipment to sports facilities throughout the United Kingdom and beyond for over a combined 100 years. Providing a succession planning solution has given over 130 employees the security of knowing the businesses they have helped build will continue to develop and grow into the future.”
Millgate Group is a newly formed holding company established to own a portfolio of companies focused on sports facility fit-out in the United Kingdom and overseas. Millgate Group aims to build a synergistic group of independent but related companies providing a range of sports, physical education, gymnastics, trampolining, and active leisure products and fit-out services.
Millgate Group’s intention is to help with succession planning solutions for companies operating in the sports facility fit-out space by providing an exit for founding shareholders with the comfort that their businesses can continue to operate independently with the benefits of being part of a well-resourced and focused group.
Continental has been manufacturing equipment for sports, gymnastics, physical education, trampolining and ancillary products for the sports and leisure industries since 1964. Operating throughout the United Kingdom, Continental’s customers include Main Contractors, FF&E suppliers, Schools, Universities and sports clubs. Based in West Yorkshire, Continental is particularly strong in the North of England and Scotland.
Universal has been manufacturing equipment for sports, physical education and trampolining for institutional sports facilities, schools and leisure centres since 1978 from its base in Essex. Universal operates throughout the United Kingdom but with a concentration of projects in the South and Midlands region.
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Published on 03 June 2025 By Andreas Fantousi
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