British manufacturer Morgan caused a major stir at the Geneva motor show, when it was revealed that an Italian venture capitalist firm had taken a controlling stake in the company – providing it with a welcome cash infusion.
The amount invested by Investindustrial, which previously took a major stake in Aston Martin, has not been disclosed. However, Morgan says it is a “significant capital investment” that will allow the 110-year-old car firm to introduce new models and potentially double its sales.
Autocar spoke to Morgan chairman Dominic Riley at Geneva, where the company also launched the new Plus Six, about the deal.
Why has this deal happened?
“Look at other businesses with significant capital investment. The long-term benefits of new capital allow us to build our dealer network and invest in new technology. The industry is becoming increasingly technological, with safety and other technology – our R&D can benefit from this investment of capital. We’ll never be large scale but we can develop.”
What interested Investindustrial in Morgan?
“When they came to Malvern Link, they were extremely impressed by the factory, history and craft skills, and they don’t want to change that. But they do want to invest. There are areas we can invest in but retain who we are. We can invest in people. We’ve got plans for a new visitor centre, too. The factory is less than half of the 10 acres we have so there is room to grow. There’s a big opportunity with the museum and other areas, and the council is very supportive. They say we’re the jewel in the crown of Malvern.”
Will they shake things up with management?
“The investment is not happening without the management team to back. The key is the capital to back the management. [Morgan managing director] Steve Morris and the team are so important to the investment. Without him, it wouldn’t happen.”
Private equity firms exist to buy and sell companies. What’s the long-term future?
“It’s too early to say on that. They will invest in the company and grow it, and double production. That’s the business plan. The family retain a share and the management team can share in the commercial value of the business.”
What new models are planned?
“In Jon Wells [Morgan’s design boss], we have an extremely talented individual. He dreams about new models. This will allow some of Jon’s dreams to become a reality.”
Are there more Morgan customers out there?
Join the debate
Add your comment
Ownership is a complicated topic
Take any multinational Company with a full stockmarket listing, it could be Daimler Benz- German, Tata -Indian but the majority of shares owned by Investment Trusts and other Investment vehicles inc pension funds etc and these could be Foreign even British and then who owns the Unit trusts or other Investments held in these,you could go round in circles wih a German company like Daimler mainly owned by uk institutions etc and then the majority of these investments personally owned by Investors from say Russia .I do not think the financial system is clever enough to analyse this to see who really owns what and by which Country.
British ownership
Westfield
Hope it works out for them.
Hope it works out for them.
Reilly sounds like a kid whos been given their life's pocket money in advance.