Corporate finance team assist motor vehicle business with funding

The Finance Durham Fund has invested £250k in automotive styling centre, Muss Media Ltd.  The fund was established by Durham County Council and is managed by Maven Capital Partners (Maven), a private equity firm.

Funds raised will enable the company to invest in its design, sales and marketing functions, roll out a national car dealership engagement strategy and employ additional wrap technicians to fulfill growing demand.

As a result of the investment, the firm will establish its design, sales and marketing functions in County Durham.

Founded in June 2015, Muss Styling provides professional automotive wrapping services which involves applying large sheets of high quality printed vinyl to cover vehicles and transform their appearance.

Jamie Mussett, managing director of Muss Styling, said: “We are really excited to expand our offering to provide commercial fleet wrapping, sign-writing, commercial signage and graphic design all in-house.

“Muss Styling has already established itself as a market leader in professional car wraps, tints and automotive design. It is through our team’s hard-work and dedicated support from partners that we look forward to taking the business to the next level.

“When we started the company we were told you couldn’t do this up here, so we are very proud of our success and overwhelmed with the support we’ve received.”

Corporate Finance Partner at Mincoffs Solicitors, John Nicholson led the transaction on behalf of Muss Media Ltd.  John said ‘It has been great to work with Jamie on this round of funding.  I am excited to see how the business develops and to working with Muss Media Ltd in the future.’

The investment in Muss Styling is the sixth deal from the £20m Finance Durham Fund established by Durham County Council and overseen by Business Durham, the economic development organisation for County Durham.

Durham is said to be home to a growing hub of dynamic, high-growth businesses.

Michael Vassallo, Maven’s investment director, added: “Muss Styling is a highly ambitious business with an impressive product range that has already achieved great success in the automotive industry on a local and national level.

“The fact it has such a large following on social media, and some impressive blue chip car dealership customers and a number of high profile celebrities, is testament to the quality of the company’s products.”