A BRADFORD engineering firm has been bought out by a West Yorkshire company specialising in supporting manufacturing businesses.

Panda Engineering is a well-established precision machining and fabrication workshop based at premises on Parry Lane, in the Bowling Back Lane area of Bradford.

Batley-based kadops Holdings Ltd has now completed its acquisition of the Bradford firm.

With a 14-strong team of skilled operators, Panda Engineering has extensive knowledge in various techniques of subcontract manufacturing and fabrication.

It was founded more than 20 years ago by Peter Hobson, and has invested in the latest CNC machinery while retaining traditional engineering processes and values.

The company’s acquisition was completed on February 7 by kadops Holdings Ltd, which is the the parent company of kadops management consultancy.

Established in 2017 by Kieran Doyle and Kirstie Allenby and based in Batley, kadops Holdings specialises in supporting manufacturing businesses and their funding partners.

In doing so it provides financial, commercial and operational advice as well as pre-investment due diligence.

The deal was supported by a number of Yorkshire advisers including Caitlin Johnson and Avril Mullin of Clarion in Leeds who provided legal support to kadops.

Ian Cotton and Catherine McGorrrigan of Aldermore Bank PLC provided invoice financing.

“With our extensive experience of supporting the manufacturing sector, we believe we can add real value to the Panda Engineering business,” said Mr Doyle, a partner at kadops.

“Peter Hobson has built a fantastic firm with a committed and skilled team and we want to take it to the next phase of its development.

“Traditionally, the business has focussed on serving local food and construction industries, but we plan to use our knowledge to explore opportunities in other markets such as oil and gas, and hydraulics.

“This acquisition perfectly fits our consultancy model and our plan is to guide and support the existing leadership team, empowering them to grow the business and realise its potential."

He added: “Thanks also to our great team of Yorkshire advisers for helping to make this deal happen.”