The Oxfordshire bearings specialist, Bowman International, has bought Midlands-based John Handley Bearings which sells products from Thomson Industries, Cooper Bearings and NSK Linear. The acquisition gives Bowman a stock-holding facility in the Midlands for its ranges of plain bearings, which include the BowMet, Oillite and Oilless brands.
“John Handley is a well-respected and established family-run business, which offers a range of high-quality linear bearings, split bearings and rod ends,” says Bowman International’s managing director, Paul Mitchell. “These products complement our existing portfolio and together we have identified many positive synergies between our two companies – including a customer-centred approach to innovation and a long-standing commitment to service and quality.”

The acquired business, which has a 50-year history, will be rebranded John Handley Bearings, a division of Bowman International. Stock availability will be improved and the business will get a new Web site and promotional activity. Bowman envisages moving the new division to larger premises to accommodate improvements in logistical capacity and supply chain management, resulting in a faster, more reactive supply of products to much of the UK.

“The time is right for our business to seek the strength and financial backing of a larger company and we feel reassured by Bowman’s commitment to retaining the John Handley Bearings identity,” says the company’s commercial director, Lucie Tate-Harris. “Our technical partners and customers are supportive of the acquisition and we are confident that together we can enjoy further growth of our respective businesses.”


Bowman's acquisition of John Handley Bearings will give it a Midlands distribution base for its ranges of plain bearings

Bowman, founded in 1972, specialises in the manufacture and supply of bearings and sintered components. In 2009, it acquired the assets of Oilite Bearings and MPC (formerly known as Eagersinter), expanding its ranges of sintered bearings and its sintered component capabilities.

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