Electronics giant Maplin, which started life in a south Essex bedroom, has been sold for almost £250 million. Private equity group Montagu has bought the company and plans to open 59 new stores over the next three years. The multi-million pound corporate dealings are a far cry from the humble beginnings of the business which was named after the Maplin Sands in the Thames Estuary. The mail-order part of the company was started in 1972 by founders Douglas Simmons of Leigh and former Echo employee Roger Allen of Rayleigh. In their spare time the pair made equipment for pop groups such as fuzz pedals and sound compressors, but were often unable to obtain quality components. Joined by Roger's wife Sandra and using a bedroom in the Allen's Rayleigh home and Mr Simmon's garage, they set up Maplin Electronic Supplies. The first shop was opened in Westcliff in 1975 and the business went from strength to strength. Mr Simmons and Mr Allen sold Maplin to Saltire in 1994, when the company had an annual turn-over of £29million. Maplin now employs 1,500 staff and sells more than 14,000 products and has a store in London Road, Westcliff.
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