The combined business will be the largest specialist distributor of critical moving parts in Scotland, with seven sites across the country. Scots Bearings’ founder David Jackson will continue in his role as managing director.

Founded in 1986, Scots Bearings employs 60 staff at its headquarters in Aberdeen and its sites in Glasgow, Dundee, Inverness and Irvine. It offers an extensive range of industrial products including lubricants, electric motors, belts and drives and provides a repair service for gearboxes. The company will continue to operate under its existing name alongside Antifriction’s existing sites in Edinburgh and Inverness.

Antifriction Components, which is based in Bristol, now has 19 sites across the UK including London, Dudley, Fareham, Wickford, Bolton, Wisbech, Ellesmere Port, Grimsby, Stockton-on-Tees, Cwmbran and Belfast. Established in 1976, it is now part of Gruppo Bianchi – one of Europe’s largest specialist distributors of power transmission, linear motion, fluid power systems and components. The acquisition demonstrates the group’s continued confidence in the British market and the potential for the Antifriction team to unlock growth opportunities.

Andrew Fleming, managing director of Antifriction, said: “We look forward to working closely with our new colleagues in Scots Bearings.

“David and his team have built a successful business and a loyal customer base due to their commitment to providing an excellent service, which we are looking forward to continuing.

“Scotland’s a really vibrant and important market for us and this deal will make us the most significant specialist distributor of critical moving parts North of the border. It will also give the Scots Bearings team access to Antifriction’s in-depth training programmes and enable their customers to benefit from our established relationships with renowned manufacturers.”

David Jackson, managing director of Scots Bearings, added: “As we enter this new chapter in our business history, we are very positive and excited about the opportunities it holds – not only for Scots Bearings, but for our clients as well.

“The consolidated business will be the leading bearing and power transmission supplier in Scotland. With Antifriction and Gruppo Bianchi’s vast knowledge and stock holding, we will be able to offer the best service available in the maintenance and repairs marketplace and the widest range of products.”

Mr Alberto Bianchi, president and CEO of Gruppo Bianchi, said: “With the acquisition of Scots Bearings Ltd, the UK becomes our second largest market in continental Europe, with turnover exceeding £50m.

“Our Group is relentlessly working to make industry more profitable by providing customers with the best engineered worldwide production of bearings, power transmission, pneumatic, automation and related services.”

Bishop Fleming provided corporate finance advice to Antifriction, while Hall Morrice acted for Scots Bearings. Lindsays acted as legal advisors to Antifriction while Burness Paull advised Scots Bearings.