A MANAGEMENT buy-out has safeguarded 59 jobs at a Bolton company.

PWS Dental Laboratory - part of A to Z Dental Holdings - has been acquired from Integrated Dental Holdings for an undisclosed sum and re-named PWS Direct Ltd.

The company dates back 44 years and has been based over the years in Flash Street, Nelson Street and Manchester Road, Bolton.

Managing director, Jim Mackie; technical director, Debbie Bogle; financial director, Lorraine Atherton and sales director, Stephen Hall have acquired the business with the help of chartered accountants Hacker Young and solicitors Linder Myers.

The plan is to retain the current workforce and move to new premises within the next six months.

Laboratories in Bolton and Tring, Hertfordshire, produce dentures and orthodontic appliances for mainly independent and private dental practices throughout the UK.

Mr Mackie said: "This is a significant purchase and we are delighted to be in a position to develop the business further.

"PWS Laboratory has an excellent reputation within the dental profession and it is important that it stays that way.

"We are committed to providing the best possible service to existing and new customers and that means continuing to employ the best people and investment in latest technology."

Mr Mike Wasinski, partner at Hacker Young, said: "PWS Direct face a very exciting future and I have no doubt that the management team's experience and expertise will ensure the business continues to move in the right direction."