History

The seeds of the Purico Group were sown in 1983 when Professor Nathu Ram Puri CBE acquired F G Skerritt Limited, a long-established firm of mechanical and electrical engineers.

Professor Puri, fondly referred to as Nat, worked at the British company in the 1970s as an engineer. He was quickly promoted to a managerial role as his flair for business became apparent. His attention to detail and strong work ethic led to a dramatic increase in turnover. By the time he left to set up his own consultancy in 1976 he was responsible for more than half of the company’s profits.

Just seven years after his departure Nat returned as owner, having persuaded his bank, on the strength of his track record at Skerritts, to lend him the money to buy the business.

Originally from the Punjab in India, Nottingham has been Nat’s home for more than 40 years and he has the honour of being a Freeman of the City of Nottingham. He came to England in the 1960s armed with little more than a maths degree. The cheapest course he could find was in air conditioning and refrigeration at London South Bank University, where he completed a diploma in engineering and was later given an honorary doctorate of sciences.

In 2015, he was presented with the prestigious Pravasi Bharatiya award by the President of India. In the same year he received the CBE which was presented by Prince Charles. Both of these awards were for his enormous contribution to charity and education.

He also became patron of the 2015 Organising Committee of the World Hindu Economic Forum (WHEF). A passionate cricket fan, Nat is a prolific benefactor, having donated millions of pounds to many charitable and educational projects, mainly in England, India and Nepal.

His purchase of Skerritts, of Nottingham, was the catalyst for a rapid programme of acquisitions and consolidation.

In the early days, Purico’s activities were centred on traditional UK businesses, including Bolton Plastic Components Limited and Bettix Limited, manufacturers of plastic products. The group soon broadened its horizons, expanding into Europe, Asia and America.

Adding a well-known German motor parts manufacturer to the Purico stable in 1985 marked the start of a journey into new industries. Today Bolta Werke GmbH, which produces the VW and Mercedes car badges, is the single largest operation of its kind, supplying quality plastic car components to Europe, Asia and North America.

The Purico Group is continually on the lookout for fresh opportunities to extend its territories. A proud boast is that in 1995 it became one of the first companies in Britain to have a presence in China. The group’s Chinese company, Zhejiang Minfeng Robert Paper Company Limited, produces fine grade papers used in cigarettes sold worldwide.

Purico continually reviews world markets to maintain its position as one of the most diverse and successful private enterprises in the UK.

In 2016, the group opened a $50 million plant in Alabama, USA, eight years after entering into a joint venture with a Mexican company to supply VW. Both factories are key suppliers to the automotive industry.

Through continual growth and investment, Purico has become a major international force, employing more than 3,000 people in the UK, Germany, USA, Mexico, China, Hong Kong and Indonesia.

The group ‘family tree’ on the left illustrates the hugely varied sectors it competes in, while the timeline below charts the remarkable progression from one-man band to global conglomerate.

Purico Group Ltd

History

Our strong foundations