Morgan Advanced Materials and Magma Ceramics and Catalysts have come together to create a dynamic international force in the field of advanced ceramic and catalyst technology.
The joint venture between Morgan and Magma will see Morgan’s UK Fired Refractory Shapes business, based in Bromborough, merge with Magma Ceramics and Catalysts.
The merger will create a significantly larger and more effective combined business with access to a broader technology base, enabling it to capitalise on the significant growth opportunities already identified by both organisations across multiple markets.
The joint venture will operate under the Magma name and be headed by Mark Stuckey, Managing Director of Magma. Morgan will take a 35 per cent shareholding in the combined business, and Simon Halliday, Morgan's Director of Strategic Programmes, will join the Magma board as a non-executive director.
The UK Fired Refractory Shapes business of Morgan Advanced Materials designs, manufactures and supplies products for a range of critical, heat-intensive applications from materials including alumina, sillimanite, silicon carbide, fused silica, alumina-zirconia-silica (AZS), zirconia, zircon and mullite. Depending on the specific application requirements, a range of manufacturing techniques are employed, including thixotropic and chemical casting, hydraulic and isostatic pressing, extrusion, and slip and freeze casting.
Magma Ceramics and Catalysts was formed in 2010 following a management buy-out of Dyson Industries’ fired ceramic shapes business in Dewsbury, UK. Since then its focus has been on process improvement and the delivery of substantive, market-focused growth, which has exceeded 50 per cent each year.
Key to this growth has been Magma’s expansion of its ceramic production process knowledge into the area of catalyst technology, establishing a catalyst development facility in Sheffield, UK, and manufacturing facilities in Brazil and Vietnam. Magma has an extensive pipeline of new products and market opportunities which will support continued high growth in both the ceramic and catalyst areas of the business.
Mark Stuckey explained: “This joint venture brings together two established yet complementary capabilities into a single entity able to meet and exceed the needs of customers across a broad range of industry sectors. We welcome all those joining Magma at this exciting time and look forward to their contribution to the continued growth of the business.”
Mark Robertshaw, CEO of Morgan Advanced Materials, commented: “This merger creates a robust and exciting business which will build on a strong track record of operational excellence and technology development. We look forward to sharing in its rapid growth and continued success.”