Lloyds supports £36m management buyout of vehicle cleaning product manufacturer

A Staffordshire-based manufacturer of professional vehicle cleaning and janitorial products is set for its next chapter of growth following a management buyout supported by a £36 million funding package from Lloyds.

Autosmart International, founded in 1979 and headquartered in Staffordshire, combines in-house research and development and UK manufacturing with a global franchise network of around 300 showrooms.

Customers include car dealerships, valeters, hauliers and vehicle rental companies with operations across the UK, France, the Netherlands, Germany, Sweden, Switzerland, Australia and New Zealand, with a presence in the United States.

The funding from Lloyds will support the businesses ownership transition, alongside continued investment in UK manufacturing and digital capability.

The £36 million package combines term loans, asset finance and working capital facilities to support the buyout, as well as future growth.

Sustainability is central to Autosmart’s growth model. Its Barrel for Life system enables franchisees to top up 205‑litre reusable on-site containers, significantly cutting single‑use plastic and reducing the transport of water.

Autosmart’s high‑concentration cleaning products are diluted at the customer site, improving safety, reducing waste and lowering the cost per clean.

The firm has invested steadily in recent years, introducing a new business management system to improve planning and data, opening a new warehouse in September 2024, and progressing plans for a fully automated, state‑of‑the‑art production facility targeted to go live in 2027.

The company employs around 200 people, with the majority based at its Lichfield headquarters.

The MBO sees long-standing UK managing director, Justin Woodman, become group managing director and acquire a majority shareholding from the vendors, who retain a minority stake to support an orderly handover. The deal completed in October 2025.

Today, Autosmart generates around £50 million in annual turnover. Over the next five years, the company is targeting 30-40 per cent growth, driven by increases in product volumes and franchise network expansion.

Looking ahead, the business will continue to invest in British manufacturing, in developing market-leading products and in supporting its franchise network to grow in the UK and overseas.

Justin Woodman, group managing director at Autosmart International, said: “This deal positions Autosmart for the long term.

“We’re proud of our British manufacturing heritage and our franchise partnership model, and we’re investing in the people, systems and more sustainable ways of working that will help us grow.

“Lloyds understands our culture and ambitions and delivered a package that supports a smooth transition and our plans for the years ahead.”

James Long, director of Growth & Structured Finance at Lloyds, said: “Autosmart brings together British manufacturing and a proven franchise network that serves customers every day. That mix of quality products and local service is central to the business’s success.

“Our funding will support the buyout and help Justin and the team invest in more capacity, new equipment and better tools, while giving franchisees the training and support they need to grow in a more efficient way.”

Pictured: Abdel Jamal, Justin Woodman and Rob Sidwells (all Autosmart)