# Inflexion-backed group acquires Rapid Tooling Solutions

The group behind Cutwel and Toolex, backed by private equity firm Inflexion, has acquired Rapid Tooling Solutions, a Gateshead-based cutting tool distributor. The combined business has an annual turnover of approximately £37 million.

- Type: Acquisition
- Announced: 2026-11-04
- Where: Gateshead, United Kingdom
- Status: completed
- Products: cutting tools, machining accessories, metalworking fluids, CAM software
- Sectors: [Industrial Machinery](https://endata.com/sectors/industrial-machinery.md)

## Companies

- [Inflexion](https://endata.com/companies/5920.md) (investor)
- [Rapid Tooling Solutions](https://endata.com/companies/16170.md) (target)
- [Cutwel](https://endata.com/companies/16171.md) (acquirer)
- [Toolex](https://endata.com/companies/16172.md) (acquirer)

## Sources

- [industrialnews.co.uk](https://industrialnews.co.uk/rapid-tooling-joins-cutwel-and-toolex-group/), 2026-11-05: "The acquisition strengthens the group’s geographical coverage and extends its combined product and service offering to manufacturers across the UK and Ireland."

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Data from Endata (https://endata.com/). Announcements are summarized from public sources and may be incomplete; check the linked originals.