Walker Rubber Acquires Clingbrook

Clingbrook is Now Part of Walker Rubber

In a vote of confidence for British Manufacturing and the local economy, we are proud to announce our acquisition of specialist rubber moulding company Clingbrook Limited, based in Braintree. The merger secures the future of the long-established family-run business as its current owners retire, with an overall investment approaching seven figures over the next five years.

The strategic acquisition, led by Ivan Browne, Owner and Director of Walker Rubber, will see Clingbrook merge under the Walker Rubber brand, combining more than 125 years of manufacturing expertise and reinforcing the region's position as a hub for specialist rubber engineering.

Ivan, said: “Clingbrook is a highly respected business with deep technical expertise and an unwavering commitment to quality. This acquisition is about protecting that legacy while strengthening the manufacturing capacity and capabilities of the Walker Rubber group.

At a time when UK manufacturing begins to regain momentum, we see this as a positive step - not just for Walker Rubber, but for customers, our workforce and the local economy.”

The deal will safeguard skilled manufacturing jobs, strengthen local supply chains and signals continued investment in UK-based production at a time when many domestic manufacturers face increasing economic and logistical pressures.

Securing the Next Chapter for a Respected Family Business

Clingbrook, incorporated in 1979 and operating from its Braintree facility, has spent 47 years supplying precision rubber mouldings to diverse industries, with a specialism in the bottling and packaging industry, supplying components to major drinks brands. Known for its fully in-house manufacturing model, the company has built a strong reputation for flexibility, technical expertise and dependable delivery.

With its founders and current owners now retiring, the acquisition protects the jobs of current employees and ensures a prosperous future for the business, while expanding its capacity to deliver specialist rubber mouldings for businesses across the UK.

Outgoing owners of Clingbrook, Cathy and Chris Joyner, commented:

“We are very proud of the business we have built over the past five decades. It was crucial to us that Clingbrook’s future was placed in safe hands. Walker Rubber shares our values of quality, customer focus and in-house manufacturing, and we are confident that under Ivan's stewardship the company will continue to grow and thrive and our customers will be supported.”

Ivan continued: “Clingbrook customers can be reassured that it is very much business as usual. They will continue to receive the same high standards of service and technical support, while we grow the business using the additional resources, scale and infrastructure of Walker Rubber.”