JTC is a manufacturer and supplier of fitted furniture, focused on the social housing and student accommodation markets and employing over 250 people in the Dundee area. JTC represents a highly complementary acquisition for Woodland, with the partnership set to create one of the largest cabinet producers in the UK.

The acquisition will allow both Woodland and JTC to capitalise on the benefit of the group’s newfound scale to continue to enhance its product range and service levels to their respective customer bases.

JTC’s existing senior management team is remaining with the newly combined business and will continue to lead implementation of its ambitious growth plans. The combined business will have turnover in excess of £50 million.

BGF’s talent network have also introduced Marcus Moir to the business as non-executive chairman, who brings with him a wealth of relevant industry experience in the home improvement space.

BGF has completed a multi-million-pound investment in the new Woodland Group for a minority stake in the business, which will be used to fund the acquisition and support future growth.

Gordon Linton, managing director of JTC, said: “We have been impressed with Connor, Brian and the wider team’s long-term vision for the business. We are convinced the strategic alliance with Woodland, with a proven, supportive backer such as BGF, will strengthen our own proposition and help develop our offering.

“For our team in Dundee, it will be very much business as usual, with a continued focus on providing great service to customers in the range of sectors where we are already a market leader.”

Connor McCloskey, CEO at Woodland NI, added: “Woodland has enjoyed strong organic growth in recent years but we have kept one eye on strategic, additive acquisition opportunities. The partnership with JTC was a move that made perfect sense in terms of scale, common values, capabilities and level of ambition.

“JTC’s strong presence and longstanding customer base in the social housing, healthcare and student housing sectors, combined with Woodland’s own strengths in the distribution and large retail space, will allow both businesses to share best practice and take a collaborative approach to further growth. We look forward to working with the team in Dundee.”

Chris Nixon, investor at BGF in Belfast, said: “Woodland and JTC are both established names in the kitchen furniture industry and by combining the team’s knowledge of the market and complementary customer base we believe there is high potential for growth. We are excited to join the Woodland team as a minority investor as they embark on this expansion.”

HNH Group and Tughans LLP advised Woodland NI. Thorntons advised JTC and HNH Group and A&L Goodbody advised BGF.