FENTON BARNS (MANUFACTURING) LIMITED
🌳Matureactive
SC074992 · ltd · incorporated 1981-05-29
Investment thesis
Well-run mature business — low negotiation leverage; premium likely.
Why interesting: Textbook target; clean filings, stable trading.
Why risky: No pressure on seller; any deal likely at full price.
Opportunity decay
approaching window · 12-months
Approaching a transaction window — refinance or sale event plausible in the next 12 months.
- · Oldest live charge 43.6y old — refinance window within 12 months
🔒Estimated value
—
Upgrade to see
Turnover
—
not disclosed
Net worth
—
book net assets
Opportunity
78/100
Strong
What this business does
Primary activity: Wholesale of meat and meat products
Sector: Wholesale & retail
Investor take
PursueActive trading company with a 62-year-old founder — textbook succession opportunity.
Opportunity 78/100 (strong), bankability 75/100. Strong seller-intent signal (65/100, director aged 62). Share purchase looks the cleaner deal structure. Biggest value-creation lever: Discharge stale live charges. 1 live charge(s) created 15+ years ago — likely paid but undischarged. Clean register. Most likely exit: share sale to pe / searcher (73/100).
🏦
Refinance opportunity
3 live charges · 2 lenders · oldest 43.6y
50/100
clean up first
Refinance viable after a tidy-up — address the highlighted items first.
- · Oldest live charge is 43.6 years old — likely at or near maturity.
- · Two lenders — manageable, but coordination required.
- · Legal-friction score 30/100 — workable, but lender will want more DD.
Data confidence
Overall: medium (61/100)Adequate coverage. AI outputs are reliable for the sections scored high; verify the rest in diligence.
Company profile
address, 1 SIC codes, incorporation date
100
Financials
No iXBRL financials extracted
0
Lenders & charges
3 charges (3/3 with lender, 3/3 with type)
90
Directors & officers
16 officers (2 active, 16 linked, 14 with DOB)
88
Ownership & PSC
1 active PSC(s) of 3 total, 3 with control declared
90
Director network
20 connected companies via shared directors
90
Filing history
200 filings on record
85
Gazette notices
No matching gazette notices (standard for active companies)
60
Opportunity Score
78/100Strong
PassWatchWorth a lookStrongExceptional
Solid opportunity signal. Worth a dedicated memo and management meeting.
Business quality
70
Active, clean filings, stable charge profile.
Acquirability
75
Strong succession / seller-readiness signals.
Risk profile
77
Few red flags.
Signal strength
100
Good data coverage for analysis.
Recent activity
Last 30 days
1
filing
- • 1 confirmation-statement
Last 90 days
1
filing
- • 1 confirmation-statement
Last 180 days
1
filing
- • 1 confirmation-statement
Counts from Companies House filing history.
Corporate timeline (52 events)Click to expand
- 2025-09-23📄accounts-with-accounts-type-audit-exemption-subsiduaryaccounts · AA
- 2025-09-23📄legacyaccounts · PARENT_ACC
- 2025-09-23📄legacyother · AGREEMENT2
- 2025-09-23📄legacyother · GUARANTEE2
- 2024-09-23📄accounts-with-accounts-type-audit-exemption-subsiduaryaccounts · AA
- 2024-09-23📄legacyaccounts · PARENT_ACC
- 2024-09-23📄legacyother · AGREEMENT2
- 2024-09-23📄legacyother · GUARANTEE2
- 2024-04-09📄notification-of-a-person-with-significant-controlpersons-with-significant-control · PSC02
- 2024-04-09📄cessation-of-a-person-with-significant-controlpersons-with-significant-control · PSC07
- 2024-01-08➕WOOD, Thomas appointeddirector
- 2024-01-08📄appoint-person-director-company-with-name-dateofficers · AP01
- 2023-11-30➖BOWIE, Allan Russell resigneddirector
- 2023-11-30📄termination-director-company-with-name-termination-dateofficers · TM01
- 2023-10-04📄accounts-with-accounts-type-audit-exemption-subsiduaryaccounts · AA
- 2023-10-04📄legacyother · AGREEMENT2
- 2023-10-04📄legacyother · GUARANTEE2
- 2023-10-04📄legacyaccounts · PARENT_ACC
- 2023-02-07📄accounts-with-accounts-type-audit-exemption-subsiduaryaccounts · AA
- 2023-02-07📄legacyaccounts · PARENT_ACC
- 2023-02-07📄legacyother · AGREEMENT2
- 2023-02-07📄legacyother · GUARANTEE2
- 2022-06-07📄appoint-person-director-company-with-name-dateofficers · AP01
- 2022-06-06➕BOWIE, Allan Russell appointeddirector
- 2022-06-03➖CLARK, Nicholas Rodger resigneddirector
- 2020-11-06➖HILL, Alan George resigneddirector
- 2020-11-02➕CLARK, Nicholas Rodger appointeddirector
- 2018-06-11➖GODFREY, Susan Mary resignedsecretary
- 2018-06-11➖GODFREY, Susan Mary resigneddirector
- 2017-02-24🔓Charge satisfied #1
- 2016-12-15🔓Charge satisfied #2
- 2014-07-16➕HILL, Alan George appointeddirector
- 2012-10-10➕GODFREY, Wayne appointeddirector
- 2010-08-02➖GODFREY, Martyn resigneddirector
- 2005-11-09🔒Charge registered #3Lender: The Governor and Company of the Bank of Scotland
- 2004-12-31➖HUTCHESON, William Scott resigneddirector
- 1999-07-28➖WILSON, Colin Graham resigneddirector
- 1999-07-19➕GODFREY, Susan Mary appointedsecretary
- 1999-07-19➖PATTERSON, Andrew Mark resignedsecretary
- 1999-07-19➖CHALMERS-WATSON, Keith resigneddirector
- 1999-07-19➕GODFREY, Martyn appointeddirector
- 1999-07-19➕GODFREY, Susan Mary appointeddirector
- 1999-07-19➕HUTCHESON, William Scott appointeddirector
- 1999-07-19➖PATTERSON, Andrew Mark resigneddirector
- 1998-10-31➖HUMBLE, Peter resigneddirector
- 1995-10-03➖HODGSON, Allan Ferguson resigneddirector
- 1994-03-22🔒Charge registered #2Lender: The Royal Bank of Scotland PLC
- 1993-11-11➖LESSELS, Norman resigneddirector
- 1993-11-11➕PATTERSON, Andrew Mark appointeddirector
- 1993-11-11➕WILSON, Colin Graham appointeddirector
Showing most recent 50 of 52 events
Owner dependency
66/100
High — earn-out structure requiredMaterial founder dependency. Consider a 2-3 year earn-out and build in a handover plan before completion.
FACTORS
- +Two-director setup: Only two active directors — typical of owner-managed SMEs but limits succession.
- +Senior director age: Director aged approximately 62 — approaching natural succession window.
Succession & seller-readiness
59/100
Strong succession signalMultiple signals suggest succession is on the horizon. Candidate for proactive outreach.
SIGNALS
- secondaryFounder aged 58+: Senior director is approximately 62. Early succession window.
- secondaryTwo-director governance: Small-team governance. Succession depth is thin but not absent.
- secondary12+ year tenure: Director in role 14 years.
- supportingClean filings + long tenure: Disciplined long-tenure operator — classic lifestyle-business pattern that often sells quietly.
Red flags
1 med ·Charge satisfaction-then-recreation pattern
mediumMultiple instances where a charge was satisfied and a new charge created within 6 months. Suggests active refinancing cycle.
Group structure
Browns Manufacturing Limited is the ultimate parent — holding 75%+ shares. This company sits inside their group.
🏛️ultimate parent
Browns Manufacturing Limited
Corporate parent · holds 75-100% shares · board control
⬇
FENTON BARNS (MANUFACTURING) LIMITED
This company · SC074992
Parent relationships inferred from Persons with Significant Control filings. Full subsidiary tree requires reverse-lookup (coming).
Shareholders & ownership
1 active beneficial owner · dominant holder ≥75%| Name | Shares | Voting rights | Nature of control | Notified |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Browns Manufacturing Limited Corporate entity | 75–100% | 75–100% | board control75-100% shares · 75-100% voting · board control | 31/12/2023 |
2 historic (ceased) PSCs
- Importo Limitedceased 31/12/2023· 75-100% shares · 75-100% voting · board control
- Browns Food Group Limitedceased 30/12/2018· 75-100% shares
From Companies House Persons with Significant Control filings. Share ranges are banded per the public PSC regime.
🔒Co-director network graph
Radial SVG graph showing every company connected via shared directors, colour-coded by status.
Available from the Pro tier upwards.
See pricing →Similar companies
Active · Wholesale & distribution · DG postcode area| Company | Est. value | Turnover | Net worth | Staff | Age | Opp | Director |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ABSOLUTE VITAMINS LIMITED→ SC787572 · est 2023 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 2y | — | — |
| ARLA FOODS NAIRN LIMITED→ SC188780 · est 1998 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 27y | — | — |
| BALTUS LIMITED→ SC505940 · est 2015 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 10y | — | — |
| BORDER BIOFUELS LIMITED→ SC443328 · est 2013 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 13y | — | — |
| BORDERS GOURMET LIMITED→ SC407944 · est 2011 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 14y | — | — |
| BRIGSTON & CO WHOLESALE LIMITED→ SC623627 · est 2019 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 7y | — | — |
| CARDZONE (OVERSEAS) LIMITED→ SC553925 · est 2017 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 9y | — | — |
| DES SAINTS & TRADE LIMITED→ SC871117 · est 2025 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| ETB TECHNOLOGIES LIMITED→ SC224120 · est 2001 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 24y | — | — |
| GRT MACHINERY LIMITED→ SC482582 · est 2014 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 11y | — | — |
| HALL'S OF SCOTLAND LIMITED→ SC076842 · est 1981 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 44y | — | — |
| HALLS DIRECT LIMITED→ SC439707 · est 2013 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 13y | — | — |
Peers ranked by estimated value, then turnover, then opportunity score.See all →
🔒Tailored diligence questions
6 specific questions generated from this company's actual signals — liquidity, leverage, director age, charge count, red flags, age-of-company.
Available from the Pro tier upwards.
See pricing →🔒Advanced scoring suite
Exit-route ranking, improvement thesis, quiet-distress detector, covenant-pressure proxy, extraction monitor, approaching triggers, ownership drift, local cluster, value trap, debt capacity, archetype classification — 48+ scoring modules.
Available from the Pro tier upwards.
See pricing →Company details
Statusactive
Typeltd
Incorporated1981-05-29
Jurisdictionscotland
Primary SIC46320 — Wholesale of meat and meat products
Registered office
Unit 1 Kelloholm Industrial Estate
Greystone Avenue
Kelloholm
Dumfries & Galloway
DG4 6RB
Scotland
Filing status
Accounts
Next due: 2026-09-30
Last made up to: 2024-12-31
Confirmation statement
Next due: 2027-04-10
Last: 2026-03-27
Officers (2 active · 14 resigned)
GODFREY, Wayne→
Activedirector · ~55y · appointed 2012-10-10
View their other companies + combined net worth →
WOOD, Thomas→
Activedirector · ~62y · appointed 2024-01-08
View their other companies + combined net worth →
GODFREY, Susan Mary→
Resignedsecretary · appointed 1999-07-19 · resigned 2018-06-11
PATTERSON, Andrew Mark→
Resignedsecretary · resigned 1999-07-19
BOWIE, Allan Russell→
Resigneddirector · ~62y · appointed 2022-06-06 · resigned 2023-11-30
CHALMERS-WATSON, Keith→
Resigneddirector · ~81y · resigned 1999-07-19
CLARK, Nicholas Rodger→
Resigneddirector · ~57y · appointed 2020-11-02 · resigned 2022-06-03
GODFREY, Martyn→
Resigneddirector · ~77y · appointed 1999-07-19 · resigned 2010-08-02
GODFREY, Susan Mary→
Resigneddirector · ~67y · appointed 1999-07-19 · resigned 2018-06-11
HILL, Alan George→
Resigneddirector · ~59y · appointed 2014-07-16 · resigned 2020-11-06
HODGSON, Allan Ferguson→
Resigneddirector · ~81y · resigned 1995-10-03
HUMBLE, Peter→
Resigneddirector · ~94y · resigned 1998-10-31
HUTCHESON, William Scott→
Resigneddirector · ~62y · appointed 1999-07-19 · resigned 2004-12-31
LESSELS, Norman→
Resigneddirector · ~88y · resigned 1993-11-11
PATTERSON, Andrew Mark→
Resigneddirector · ~71y · appointed 1993-11-11 · resigned 1999-07-19
WILSON, Colin Graham→
Resigneddirector · ~92y · appointed 1993-11-11 · resigned 1999-07-28
Click a director name to see their full track record across all companies.
Mortgages & charges
3
Total charges
1
Outstanding
1
Active lenders
Status:Lender:3 of 3 shown
| Type | Properties | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| outstanding | Lloyds Banking Group The Governor and Company of the Bank of Scotland | Floating charge | 1 property | 09/11/2005 | — | |
| satisfied | Lloyds Banking Group The Royal Bank of Scotland PLC | Standard security | 1 property | 22/03/1994 | 15/12/2016 | |
| satisfied | Lloyds Banking Group The Royal Bank of Scotland PLC | Bond & floating charge | 1 property | 21/09/1982 | 24/02/2017 |
Click column headers to sort. Use filters above to narrow by status and lender.
Recent filings (200 total)
confirmation-statement-with-no-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2026-04-07
accounts-with-accounts-type-audit-exemption-subsiduary
accounts · AA
2025-09-23
legacy
accounts · PARENT_ACC
2025-09-23
legacy
other · AGREEMENT2
2025-09-23
legacy
other · GUARANTEE2
2025-09-23
confirmation-statement-with-no-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2025-04-09
accounts-with-accounts-type-audit-exemption-subsiduary
accounts · AA
2024-09-23
legacy
accounts · PARENT_ACC
2024-09-23
legacy
other · AGREEMENT2
2024-09-23
legacy
other · GUARANTEE2
2024-09-23
confirmation-statement-with-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2024-04-30
notification-of-a-person-with-significant-control
persons-with-significant-control · PSC02
2024-04-09
cessation-of-a-person-with-significant-control
persons-with-significant-control · PSC07
2024-04-09
appoint-person-director-company-with-name-date
officers · AP01
2024-01-08
termination-director-company-with-name-termination-date
officers · TM01
2023-11-30