SDS has now confirmed since Lange’s MBO offer with Gresham Partners became public, the drilling consumables business was now in discussion with five parties regarding possible takeover talks.

Moir, whose tenure as he built SDS was marked by commercial litigation and patent infringement battles with competitors, also said last week he had now stepped back into the managing director’s position with Mike Terlet, chairman of Berren Asset Management, taking the chair at SDS from Moir.

Terlet is the brother of an SDS manager, Chris Terlet.

Atlas Copco was confirmed as one of the parties in negotiation with the Bradken group also being mentioned.