Harrison Drury’s corporate team has advised on a deal that has seen a Burnley-based metal recycling business sold to a Lancashire-based counterpart.
Our team advised the owner of Metro Metals on the company’s sale to Ashvin Metals, a key name in the UK non-ferrous metal industry.
The deal, for an undisclosed sum, marks a significant milestone for Poulton-le-Fylde-based Ashvin, enhancing its operational capabilities and expanding its market offerings.
Together with other recent purchases, the acquisition now positions Ashvin Metals as a £130m-turnover business as the company continues to solidify its reputation as one of the UK’s most dynamic players in the recycling and processing of ferrous and non-ferrous metals.
Founded in 1958, Metro Metals has long been a cornerstone in Lancashire’s metal recycling sector, specialising in ferrous scrap processing.
The acquisition further enables Ashvin Metals to bolster its portfolio with ferrous metal recycling capabilities, expanding production capacity through Metro Metals’ state-of-the-art processing facility.
Iain Swinson, finance director of Ashvin Metals, said: “This acquisition represents a strategic step forward for Ashvin Metals. It not only broadens our service offerings to include ferrous metals like steel and iron, but also brings with it a legacy of excellence that Metro Metals has cultivated over decades.
“By combining our expertise, we aim to redefine service standards in the metal recycling industry and provide unmatched value to our customers worldwide.”
Metro Metals will continue to operate from the Heasandford Industrial Estate, Burnley, with all staff remaining in the business. Previous owner, Ross Shekleton, will remain involved during an interim period to advise the new owners as they familiarise themselves with the operations of the business.
Ross said: “This decision is bittersweet for me. Metro Metals has been such a huge part of my life and my family’s history. My father started the business over 60 years ago, and it has been a privilege to carry his legacy forward.
“But, with my own children pursuing other careers, I knew I wouldn’t be passing the business on, so selling felt like the right decision. Having worked with Ashvin Metals for many years, I am confident the business is in highly capable hands. Their expertise and vision will ensure that Metro Metals continues to grow and succeed within the larger Ashvin Metals group.”
Our advisory team included Tim Grover and Chloe Wishart from the firm’s corporate team and Lara Watts from the commercial property team.
Tim Grover, senior associate solicitor in the corporate team at Harrison Drury, said: “Metro Metals is another Lancashire business success story – a longstanding family firm that has traded strongly over many decades.
“We’re delighted for Ross that he’s been able to secure a continued bright future for the company, its staff and customers as part of the growing Ashvin business, which shares many of the same traits and values that have made Metro successful.”
As well as its operations in Poulton-Le-Fylde and Burnley, Ashvin Metals also operates a site in the Midlands, Inglemere Metals in Blackpool, and recently set up Ashvin Can Recycling following the purchase of machinery from Borcan, to process aluminium beverage cans in Padiham.
With the acquisition of Metro Metals, Ashvin Metals expands its overall workforce to 60 staff, bolstering its reputation as a supplier of high-grade materials to both domestic and international markets. This move underscores the company’s commitment to sustainable practices and its leadership in the highly regulated metal recycling sector.
Metro Metals was also advised by PM and M and Pierce, who each provided expert guidance throughout the transaction.