NORFOLK, UK -- Vanilla Electronics today announced the acquisition of electronics manufacturing services company Bela Electronic Designs. No financial terms were disclosed.

The deal was funded in part by Literacy Capital.

Vanilla is a components distributor with some in-house design through SMT production capabilities. It was founded in 2002.

Bedford-based Bela was founded in 1986 and focuses on small-to-medium-volume, high-mix manufacturing. 

“Bela’s technical and highly proficient PCB design and manufacturing services perfectly complement Vanilla’s supply chain activities. The new partnership will provide manufacturing customers worldwide with a fully scalable manufacturing service, from early product design, design for manufacture support, through to volume production,” says Dan Croft, CEO at Vanilla Group, in a press release.

Michael Knight, operations director at Bela, will become managing director. Croft remains CEO and Matt Negus and CFO of the Vanilla Group.

“This exciting partnership will enable Bela to further enhance our engineering and manufacturing expertise offering our market leading capabilities to an ever-expanding premium customer base and a wider global market, " Knight said. "The synergies between the two family businesses are compelling and with the planned investment, complimented by the desire and ambition of the team, the group can look forward to the next stage of growth with excitement and optimism.” 

Vanilla said it will continue to look at other acquisitions that add technical, regional and commercial value to the group and its customers.

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