YFM Private Equity has backed the MBO of Conflow and Bestobell.


Investment firm YFM Private Equity has backed the management buy-out (MBO) of the industrial valve manufacturing businesses Conflow and Bestobell from Flow Group.


Upon completion of the deal, which was for an undisclosed sum, the Sheffield-based businesses will become divisions of the newly created parent company President Engineering Group.

The MBO was also backed by Steve Ward of the Natwest Structured Debt Team and RBS Invoice Finance.

Conflow is a supplier of specialist components and systems for dust and fire suppression, as well as water control systems used in mining operations. Bestobell Valves supplies cryogenic valves to the industrial gas and downstream liquefied natural gas (LNG) industries.

YFM Group invests up to £8 million in UK businesses through its private equity and venture finance divisions. The firm has an investment team of 30 staff across its six regional UK offices.

Mary Broadhead, investment director at YFM, comments: ‘Our recent move to new offices in Sheffield underlines our commitment to the region.’

YFM was advised on the transaction by the law firm Irwin Mitchell, and the management was advised by DLA. BDO provided financial due diligence on the deal.