APPLIED Adhesives Enters UK Market with Strategic Acquisition of Interlock Adhesives

MINNETONKA, MN – January 29, 2026 – In a significant strategic move marking its official entry into the European market, APPLIED Adhesives has announced its acquisition of Interlock Adhesives, a premier adhesive technology company based in the United Kingdom. The deal, backed by private equity firm Bertram Capital, expands the North American giant's global footprint and sets the stage for intensified competition and innovation within the UK’s robust industrial adhesives sector.

APPLIED Adhesives, a leading distributor and manufacturer of custom adhesive solutions, has historically focused its operations across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. This acquisition represents a pivotal moment in the company's growth trajectory, establishing its first direct presence in the UK and signaling a clear ambition for broader international expansion. The move is the latest in a series of strategic acquisitions for the company, which has a well-documented history of growth through M&A, having completed over a dozen such deals to broaden its geographic reach and technical capabilities.

A Strategic Leap Fueled by Private Equity

The acquisition is a key development following Bertram Capital's takeover of APPLIED Adhesives in April 2025. Bertram Capital, a firm managing over $4.0 billion in capital commitments, specializes in empowering lower middle-market companies through its proprietary “Bertram High-5” value creation strategy. This operationally focused approach emphasizes complementary acquisitions, management augmentation, and technology integration to unlock a portfolio company's full potential.

The purchase of Interlock Adhesives aligns perfectly with this investment thesis. It provides APPLIED with an immediate, well-respected foothold in the UK, a market previously untapped by the company. For Bertram Capital, it represents a classic play: leveraging strategic M&A to accelerate the growth and market leadership of a promising industrial platform.

"This acquisition represents an exciting new chapter for APPLIED as we expand into the UK market," said John Feriancek, President and CEO of APPLIED Adhesives. "Interlock's market knowledge and customer-first approach align perfectly with our culture and vision. Establishing a presence in the UK strengthens our global footprint and opens new growth opportunities for our company."

Bertram Capital's involvement also brings significant technological resources to the table through its in-house team, Bertram Labs. This division focuses on driving growth via digital marketing, e-commerce, and big data analytics, suggesting that the newly combined entity may leverage advanced technology to enhance its sales, marketing, and operational efficiency in the UK market.

Reshaping the UK Adhesives Landscape

The UK represents the fourth-largest adhesives market in Europe, with a value estimated at $1.69 billion in 2024 and projected to grow to $2.13 billion by 2028. APPLIED Adhesives is not just entering a new territory; it is entering a dynamic and expanding market through a highly strategic local partner.

Founded in 1993, Scunthorpe-based Interlock Adhesives has spent three decades building a formidable reputation for innovation and exceptional customer service. The company is a key supplier to the UK's packaging, labeling, and bookbinding industries—sectors where precision, reliability, and technical support are paramount. Its status as a Henkel Premium Partner further solidifies its market position, granting it access to a portfolio of high-performance adhesive solutions from one of the world's leading chemical and consumer goods companies. This partnership has enabled Interlock to provide customers with not only cutting-edge products but also robust technical training to optimize production lines and minimize downtime.

The acquisition is poised to disrupt the competitive landscape. The combination of APPLIED's extensive resources, manufacturing capabilities, and global expertise with Interlock's deep local market penetration and established customer relationships creates a powerful new force. This synergy is expected to drive innovation, particularly as the UK market trends towards more sustainable, eco-friendly adhesive solutions and greater automation in manufacturing.

The Art of a People-First Acquisition

Perhaps one of the most telling aspects of the deal is the strategic decision to retain Interlock Adhesives' entire leadership team and workforce. The senior leadership, including Joint Managing Director Michael Blott and his fellow directors Tony and David Blott, will continue to steer the company's development. This approach underscores a modern M&A philosophy that values human capital and institutional knowledge as critical assets for a successful integration.

By keeping the existing team in place, APPLIED Adhesives ensures continuity for customers and employees alike. It preserves the deep-seated market knowledge and trusted relationships that have been the bedrock of Interlock's success. This move mitigates the risks of disruption often associated with acquisitions and signals a long-term commitment to building upon Interlock’s legacy rather than simply absorbing it.

Michael Blott commented on the future, highlighting the benefits of the partnership. "Partnering with APPLIED gives us access to additional resources and strategic support to accelerate growth in the UK and beyond," he stated. "Our customers will continue to receive the same high level of service they've come to expect, while benefiting from expanded capabilities and technical expertise."

This sentiment reflects the core rationale of the deal: to merge the strengths of both organizations to create a sum greater than its parts. For Interlock's customers, the message is one of stability and enhancement. They retain their trusted local contacts and service quality, now supercharged with the global resources and broader technical knowledge of a major international player. The infusion of capital and strategic support from APPLIED and Bertram Capital is expected to fuel further growth and innovation, allowing the UK-based team to expand its offerings and reach within the domestic market and potentially into continental Europe. The combined entity is now well-positioned to meet the evolving demands of the industry, from advanced product formulations to enhanced sustainability profiles, heralding a new era of adhesive solutions for UK businesses.