Gym Gear in Preston acquired by educational resources supplier Findel
It will still be a case of business as usual.
Gym Gear in Preston has been acquired by Hyde-headquartered educational resources supplier Findel to further expand its presence within the sports category.
Based at 82 Roman Way Industrial estate, Gym Gear provides gym design, commercial gym equipment and installation services for fitness facilities across the UK.
The company supplies directly to the education, leisure, public and blue lights sectors.
Findel, which is part of the Manutan Group, will operate Gym Gear as a standalone business complementing its Davies Sports brand in the UK and Manutan’s Casal Sport brand in France. All terms relating to the deal are undisclosed.
Founded in 2005 by directors Richard Lambert and father and son, Roy Bulcock and David Bulcock, Gym Gear employs 26 people, all of whom remain with the business following the acquisition.
Findel chief executive, Chris Mahady, said: “Gym Gear has earned an excellent reputation over its past 21 years of trading.
“This has created a strong and recognised physical fitness brand in the markets the business serves, and we see significant opportunities for further growth.
“We will provide the Gym Gear team with the support and investment required to further enhance the products and services they provide.”
He added: “We look forward to working closely with the team, learning from one another and building on our collective strengths as we continue to grow and deliver even greater value for our customers.”
Gym Gear directors Richard Lambert and David Bulcock are continuing to lead the company following the sale, while Roy Bulcock will retire from the business following a short transition period.
Gym Gear director, Richard Lambert, added: “Joining Findel provides us with a significant opportunity to accelerate the next phase of Gym Gear’s growth.
“We intend to use the additional backing to strengthen our position in the market and pursue opportunities at greater pace and scale.
“For our customers, it very much remains business as usual.
“They will deal with the same team, continue to have access to our range of high-quality products and receive the exceptional service standards they are used to.”
Findel’s origins as an educational resources supplier go back to 1817. Today, the company’s brands and websites offer more than 32,000 products to educators and parents in the UK and overseas, and the business exports to 130 countries.
In addition to Hyde, Findel also has a distribution centre and offices in Nottingham and employs around 300 people.
The company was acquired in 2024 by Manutan Group, a major player in Europe which has been reinventing B2B commerce for more than 60 years. Through its brands, the Group empowers businesses, education and public institutions by providing the equipment and supplies essential to their operations.
Findel was advised on the transaction by law firm Cripps and PwC, whilst national accountancy and advisory firm MHA and law firm Harrison Drury acted for Gym Gear.