Infinity Asset Management, the Manchester-based private equity house, has clinched three investment deals in as many weeks as it celebrates its first anniversary.

The company, which launched in February 2007 with an initial investment fund of £20 million, has invested undisclosed sums in three UK businesses. These are: construction specialists Shieldtone, based in Sheffield, Greater Manchester-based private slimming company, Vitaline, and Yorkshire-based engineering firm, Pressure Tubes.

Infinity has taken a 22% equity stake in Pressure Tubes, a manufacturer of tubing used in hydraulic machinery, and a 75% share in Vitaline, which has pioneered a unique diet based on the need to re-calibrate the metabolism by eating little and often. The private equity firm has also taken a 25% stake in Shieldtone, a producer of heavy duty mortar tubs used in the construction industry which it subsequently recycles.

The three deals come just weeks after Infinity secured a £27m first deal by investing in new North West invoice discounting and factoring company, Positive Cash Flow Finance. Unlike many other private equity houses, the team carries out its own due diligence allowing for a considerably faster, more focused and less intrusive process.

Daniel Finestein, managing partner at Infinity, commented: "Infinity is looking to invest in predominantly UK-based companies that indicate strong growth potential. Each of these three companies not only demonstrates excellent growth prospects, but also offers a unique service that we firmly believe will differentiate them from their competitors.

"The nature of these deals further demonstrates Infinity’s flexibility and expertise in moving quickly on transactions, with completion taking place very soon after the first meeting." Infinity has experienced considerable growth since it was established by Finestein and co-founding partners Sarah Butler and Phil Vickers. Its team now numbers 13.

In January 2008, Infinity was instrumental in securing the establishment of a £100 million property fund managed by Les Lang, who founded multi-award winning residential development company Abito, a subsidiary of commercial property specialist Ask Developments.

Finestein said: “In the last 12 months Infinity has achieved phenomenal growth that has exceeded all expectations. In addition to assembling a stellar team, we have also completed four exciting deals that each provide excellent growth prospects.

“If you combine that with the establishment of the property fund, then overall our first year has proved to be remarkably successful and sets us up perfectly for 2008 and beyond.”