ThinCats, the major alternative finance provider to mid-sized SMEs has supported Hyperion Equity Partners-backed Ranger Fire and Security, with their latest acquisition of national fire and security platform Syncro Group Limited.
Syncro Group
Syncro is a national fire and security provider that is well positioned within the active fire market providing fire detection, extinguisher, and security services.
Syncro’s founders, Gerry Bates and Paul Fallon, will join Ranger’s senior leadership team and will help execute the group’s buy-and-build strategy. Syncro will retain its existing model and leadership which will support further growth through targeted acquisitions and partnerships.
Ranger Fire and Security
Ranger Fire and Security was launched by Hyperion in response to the highly skilled but fragmented market nature
Ranger Fire and Security was launched by Hyperion in response to the highly skilled but fragmented nature of the market, where the increased number of market players and highly competitive nature of the sector have limited many companies from being able to scale.
Hyperion was founded in 2022 by buy-and-build investment specialists with a strategy to reshape highly fragmented industries in which the pioneering businesses demonstrate high recurring income and excellent customer service.
One-stop-shop for the fire and security
The acquisition of Syncro will play a crucial role in Ranger’s mission of establishing a national platform that brings together high-performing businesses to deliver innovation in the UK's fire and security sector.
Ranger has more than £20 million in funding capacity to make acquisitions and invest in the Group’s infrastructure as part of this mission and provide a ‘one-stop-shop’ for the fire and security needs of customers across the private, public, and charitable sectors.
National Fire and Security platform
The announcement builds on the initial two acquisitions, also supported by ThinCats
The announcement builds on the initial two acquisitions, also supported by ThinCats, of Amerex Fire International Ltd and Ignis Fire Protection Ltd which became part of the Ranger group in February 2024, with at least another five acquisitions planned by the end of 2024.
Dylan Smith, Vice President, of Hyperion Equity Partners, said, “This is a milestone acquisition for Ranger adding a national fire and security platform to the group."
UK service proposition and coverage
Dylan Smith adds, "Syncro brings a strong infrastructure that will allow for further expansion with follow-on acquisitions and will cement Ranger’s service proposition and coverage across the UK."
He continues, "With Syncro, we’re welcoming an industry-pioneering business with a strong leadership team and founders that will be instrumental to driving Ranger forward, further strengthening our plan to create a one-stop solution for customers and their fire and security needs."
Ranger’s leadership team
Ranger’s leadership team is composed of CEO, Mark Bridges and Managing Director, Ian Teader
Dylan Smith said, "With significant scope for further investment, we plan to announce several further acquisitions in the coming months as we work towards developing a truly national competitor in the fire and security industry.”
Appointed by Hyperion, Ranger’s leadership team is composed of pioneering service industry executives and fire and security sector experts, including CEO, Mark Bridges, the former CEO of Pimlico Plumbers and Domestic and General’s International CEO, and Managing Director, Ian Teader, a former national committee member of FSA and experienced operator within the fire and security industry.
Extinguishers, detection, and security services
Mark Bridges, CEO of Ranger Fire and Security, said, “We are excited to welcome Syncro to the growing Ranger team. Syncro is a very well-respected national business with a focused and proven track record of providing customers with the highest service quality for their compliance needs."
He adds, "Syncro will form a key part of Ranger’s service proposition and will enhance the Group’s extinguishers, detection and security services."
Fire and security compliance and safety
Mark Bridges continues, “This is a significant milestone for Ranger in our journey to bring the best-proven companies together to provide customers with exceptional fire and security compliance and safety."
He adds, "Syncro has a strong and loyal customer base which it has fostered through excellent customer service quality and on-time delivery of services since inception. Its pioneers have built hugely strong partnerships in the sector, which creates a significant opportunity for us to work together.”
Growing customer base
Stuart Thompson, Head of Transitional Capital, ThinCats, commented, “We are delighted to be supporting Mark and the expert team at Ranger with another exciting acquisition."
He adds, "With the backing of Hyperion, they have added some fantastic businesses to the group, expanding their service proposition to a growing customer base nationwide. We look forward to seeing them go from strength to strength.”
Ranger was advised by Cortus for financial and tax due diligence, RSM for tax structuring, and Zum Mohammed and the Gateley team provided legal support on the transaction. Cowgills were CF advisors to the sellers.
