The Denby-based chemical firm, which is most widely known for producing industrial handcleaner Swarfega, has been taken over by Charterhouse Capital Partners for £325 million.

The company has confirmed that there will be no redundancies or changes to leadership as a result of the takeover.

Managing director Jeff Bell said: "Deb Group now looks confidently to the future under new owners who totally support the existing vision for the business."

Deb, which used to be based in Belper's Spencer Road, was acquired by
the private equity firm at the end of February.

It was bought from Barclays Private Equity, which has owned the firm since 2004, when it took over from the Williamson family, which set up the company.

Charterhouse Capital Finance has a reputation for being one of Europe's most successful private equity groups with a record for high quality investments and professional expertise.

Bryan Anderson, chief executive of Deb, said: "Barclays Private Equity has provided Deb with tremendous support since the original date of its investment in the business. Deb has developed and prospered under the ownership of BPE, who recruited a management team to take the business forward into new markets and sectors.

"The development of our new global headquarters and European manufacturing plant in Derbyshire is a clear illustration of this support. BPE passes on a highly successful, well-invested company to Charterhouse Capital Partners"

International company Deb moved to a £20million purpose-built site at Denby Hall last year after the company outgrew its Spencer Road base.
Staff moved from the Belper factory, offices at Burton-on-Trent and warehouses at Junction 28 of the M1 to the new base when it was completed last spring.

Deb was established by Heanor man Audley Bowdler Williamson in 1941 to manufacture detergent for silk stockings.

The name Deb came from debutante, to signify how new the company and his products were.

Swarfega – a powerful green gel substance – was invented in 1948. The name comes from swarf, which was an old term for oil.

The cleaner and other products are sold in hundreds of countries. Deb was sold to Barclays Private Equity after Mr Williamson died.