SOS Wholesale acquired by RDCP Group

Derby-based SOS Wholesale has been acquired by London-based investment firm RDCP Group.

Left to right: Roy Farmer of Dains (financial advisers), Steven and Mark Beckett of SOS Wholesale, and Sameer Rizvi of RDCP Group.

SOS Wholesale, a family-run business founded in 1996 by Norman Beckett and his two sons Mark and Steven, employs 120 staff at its 70,000 sq ft warehouse and distribution centre in Derby and sales office in Barnsley. It supplies a range of 4,500 lines to customers in the UK, and also exports worldwide.

Mark and Steven Beckett decided two years ago to create a succession plan in order to facilitate their retirement, and the acquisition of SOS Wholesale by RDCP means that Steven will retire immediately and Mark (managing director) will work alongside trading director Vipin Patara for a period of time. They will work closely with RDCP founders Sameer Rizvi and Iryna Dubylovska on SOS Wholesale’s future growth strategy.

Commenting on the takeover, Mark Beckett said: “Steven and I are proud to be a part of one of the UK’s fastest growing private conglomerates, RDCP Group.

“I am looking forward to continuing to work with Vipin Patara and our management team to grow the business further, whilst retaining the family values that have made us what we are today.

“It is very much business as usual for our staff, customers and suppliers. We have worked hard to build an excellent reputation of delivering exceptional service and this will continue to be a focus for SOS Wholesale moving forward.”

Rizvi added: “We were extremely impressed by SOS Wholesale and their track record of success and varied customer base which includes major national retailers as well as independents. We have plans to expand SOS Wholesale both organically via increased sales channels, but also by bringing bolt-on acquisitions of smaller competitors.”