Birmingham Post
July 2009
Legal Advice Helps Firm Spring Back
Shropshire commercial law firm Blackbourn & Bond is celebrating after helping Black Country manufacturer Alpha-Rowen turn its fortunes round with a restructuring.
Tipton-based Alpha-Rowen is one of the largest UK sub-contractors in austempering a process used to harden tools for the spring and presswork market.
It had been suffering from the downturn in the automotive sector; which has made up one of the largest parts of its custom throughout its 22-year history.
The firm approached Dwight Bond at Blackbourn and Bond about a restructure.
Mr Bond said: “Many UK businesses who are Tier 1, 2 or 3 suppliers to the automotive industry have, and are still facing tough economical times. Alpha-Rowen was no different; the big difference however was that after successfully surviving two recessions over the past 20 years, the business was astute in recognising that this recession was unlike any other it had faced.
“Therefore the board’s swift action in agreeing to consolidate the business means that we have been able to implement all the steps required to protect its assets with the aim of making it a compact and successful organisation once again.”
Alpha-Rowen said it was a lot more competitive after the reconstruction, and had already seen an upturn in orders.
Kevin Rowen, owner of Alpha-Rowen Ltd said: “Demand for our products from the automotive industry had reached critical levels earlier this year, and it was only with the help and advice from our trusted advisors that we were able to restructure the business.
“The specialist business and commercial legal expertise provided by Dwight throughout this difficult process was invaluable. With his constructive advice and support, we were able to quickly make key decisions to prevent the business slipping further into decline.”
Alpha-Rowen Ltd started trading at the end of May. It was formed after Alpha-Rowen Treatments went into administration. The new firm acquired the assets of the old Treatments business.
At the time, a spokesman said: “We have kept the vast majority of the equipment (being operated by the same core staff) to more than cope with current levels of business, but also with a further 50 per cent of our total available capacity available.”
Blackbourn & Bond itself went through a name change in April this year, having been previously known as Blackbourn Andrews.
It was prompted by the promotion of Mr Bond to director, and to mark six years of trading at the firm, which has turned from being a regional law practice to a boutique law firm serving the business and commerce law interests of property and business entrepreneurs, SMEs and multi-national corporations.