Shropshire firm behind liquid data gets backing for rapid expansion

Investor Freshstream focuses on mid-market companies valued between £100 million to £250 million and has taken a stake in SmartWater Group which will be used to fund a growth drive by the business from its HQ in Central Park, Telford.

Its products include 'SmartWater', a liquid which is applied to items to protect them. Each drop of the liquid contains data sets which can be coded with unique markers such as product information or an address.

These data sets show up under a special light, meaning products which have been painted with the liquid can be tracked. This makes it hard for products to be sold on if they are stolen and can also be used to track items in industries such as aviation.

The business also produces mobile CCTV systems which can be quickly installed to monitor remote sites. These armoured camera systems connect wireless to a central monitoring stations and can be used to keep watch over facilities such as building sites, and critical infrastructure.

SmartWater Group has shrugged off the downturn caused by the pandemic, posting record sales over the past year.

Phil Cleary, chief executive of SmartWater Group, said: “Freshstream’s support and advice will enable us to accelerate our progression into new complementary services, sectors and new geographies. With their help, we’re well on the way to being a £1 billion international business and, hopefully, another British success story coming out of Shropshire."

Reza Fardad, partner at Freshstream, added: “We are delighted to have partnered with the SmartWater team during their next phase of growth. The group provides a truly differentiated offering and has a strong track record of delivering solutions that reduce crime and protect the property of its clients. We look forward to working with the team to develop the business further.”

Although financial terms of the investment were not revealed, industry sources believe it was several tens of millions of pounds.