Essco has expanded its capabilities through three targeted acquisitions since joining Flowmax Group in 2020

A Southampton-based business specialising in green-energy products for the heating, ventilation and air conditioning industries has grown revenue by 30% over five years as part of Coventry-based Flowmax Group.

Essco, which designs products for the heating, ventilation, air conditioning and process industries, was acquired by Flowmax in 2020 during a period of significant market uncertainty.

The acquisition offered an owner-managed alternative at a time when many businesses were reassessing funding, resilience and succession options.

Since joining the group, Essco has completed three acquisitions. YG Prefab added prefabrication capability, improving efficiency and quality control. Tacotherm brought additional depth in valves and technical components, strengthening supply within fluid control systems.

Helec further expanded the offering through in-house fabrication, increasing control over build quality and lead times. Headcount has increased by around 140% over the period.

Bigger platform, stronger pipeline

Richard Stammers, director and co-owner at Essco, said: “Flowmax came in at a time when long-term thinking really mattered. The priority for me was protecting what we’d built and ensuring Essco could keep growing with confidence.

“Five years on, we’ve delivered strong growth, strengthened our offering and completed acquisitions that wouldn’t have been considered without Flowmax.”

Graham Morrell, chief executive of Flowmax, added: “Essco is a strong example of our operating-partner model in action.

“We exist to create brighter futures by offering an alternative for owner-managers, combining continuity for the businesses they’ve built with the opportunity to invest, scale capability and unlock long-term growth.”