The Owners
In January 2023, after nearly 20 years of family ownership, Tiger Filtration was acquired by FORUM Family Office GmbH. But who are FORUM Family Office and what is a Family Office?
In essence, a family office is a specialised wealth management entity that provides comprehensive, personalised services to help wealthy families manage their finances, assets, and legacy across generations.
In the case of FORUM they work with a family based in Munich in Germany. One investment strategy they pursue is the acquisition of small and mid-sized family-owned companies with a strong recurring revenue model. These companies are typically established, stable and successful but looking for a succession option.
FORUM thinks long-term. They don’t sell the businesses they acquire. This makes them the ideal successors for family businesses. They believe in preserving what works, so their companies operate in a decentralised way, maintaining their location and workforce. This sets them apart from investors like large corporates or Private Equity firms, who either merge businesses into their own structures or look to sell for a quick profit. They support the companies to continue operating as true family businesses for the long-term giving founders a safe haven for their life’s work.
A Strategic Partnership for Growth
FORUM identified Tiger Filtration as a strong fit for its investment approach: well-established, high-quality manufacturing, and strong growth potential. By joining the FORUM Family Office group, Tiger Filtration has benefited from increased financial resources, operational support, and strategic guidance, helping to accelerate its expansion and innovation efforts.
Neil Wrigglesworth, Manging Director at Tiger Filtration commented,
“FORUM’s long-term vision and commitment to maintaining Tiger Filtration’s independence and customer focus give us confidence in the next phase of our journey. I am in no doubt they will help support Tiger Filtration’s continued success and growth in global markets”
FORUM Family Office’s International Expansion
The acquisition of Tiger Filtration followed FORUM’s broader internationalisation strategy and was their first investment in the United Kingdom, as well as it’s first of a company involved in compressed air filtration. FORUM continues to seek further opportunities to support outstanding businesses, and they are keen to look at other companies that sit in the compressed air and gas filtration sector. Forming a larger filtration group of companies is their vision.