Law Firm Helps Complete Deal For US Owner

Fireboy-Xintex, the leading provider of fire detection, fire suppression and gas detection products, has been acquired for an undisclosed sum by W.S. Darley & Co.

W.S Darley & Co completed an asset purchase of Fireboy-Xintex and Aetna Engineering, which is headquartered in Grand Rapids in Michigan.

At the same time Fireboy Xintex sold its UK business, which has its manufacturing operations in Poole.

Law firm Irwin Mitchell, led by Corporate partner Bryan Bletso, advised Conmar Holdings Inc, the US owner of Fireboy Xintex, on this UK aspect of the deal.

Founded in 1973, Fireboy is the market leader in marine pre-engineered and custom engineered fire safety and suppression equipment. Xintex is a leader in gas and fire detection equipment. Aetna engineering specializes in digital instruments like tachometers.

With over one million systems in service and roughly 75% of the recreational marine market, Fireboy suppression systems are well known in the marine markets. Fireboy-Xintex also serves defence, commercial, industrial, truck, bus, rail and other markets.

Fireboy’s CEO Larry Akins said: “The feeling was just right with the Darleys: our core values are very much the same and our management styles mirror one another.”

Paul C. Darley, CEO of W.S. Darley & Co. added: “We are extremely excited about this acquisition. It is our fourth acquisition in the last 20 years and is by far the largest. Our two companies are completely aligned from a cultural aspect and we have overlapping customers in the marine and defence markets. The electronics engineering and manufacturing capabilities will enhance our position in the fire service.”

Bryan Bletso at Irwin Mitchell led the team with Ben Gale and Charlie Milsom assisting on the corporate side. Ian Silverblatt and Joanna Themistokli worked on the property aspects of the transaction.

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