RPC, the international design and engineering company, has cited recent acquisitions in the last financial year as key factor in its profits more than doubling.

Benchmark International is proud to announce that it has, once again, been named ‘International Mid-Market Corporate Finance Adviser of the Year’ at the annual ACQ Global Awards.

A Manchester-based M&A specialist has expanded into South Africa with the opening of an office in Cape Town.

After years of approaches, US-based Huntsman Corp and Switzerland’s Clariant AG have announced that they will merge to create a chemicals manufacturer worth more than $14 billion.

Amazon has announced it will acquire upmarket grocer, Whole Foods Market Inc, for $13.7 billion in a deal that includes the company's debt. Expected to close late 2017, the deal will not only be the largest in the online retailer’s history, but also a major step in expanding into bricks-and-mortar retail.

Last week it was announced that German chemicals giant Linde have signed a formal agreement for a €70bn deal with US industrial gases company Praxair, despite worker representatives opposing the merger.

American computing giant Microsoft continues to expand its acquisitions of Israeli-based software companies, with a reported $100 million deal for cybersecurity start-up Hexadite.

Following news last week that Apple had completed a deal to acquire sleep-tracking device company Beddit, the tech behemoth has completed yet another acquisition in the form of Lattice.io.

Following our report last month on the $130bn mega-merger between US chemical giants Dow Chemical and DuPont, a new deal has announced the creation of a chemicals giant with a market value of approx $14 billion.  This latest high-profile transaction across the diversified chemicals sector sees companies are striking ever more aggressive deals to find new ways to slash costs and gain greater scale of their segments, typifying the current market trend for companies to cut costs and boost revenue.

Italy’s largest coffee group by sales, Lavazza now have the capacity to spend up to €2bn on acquisitions to further its global ambitions within a strong industry dominated by Nestlé and JAB of Switzerland.

Last week it was revealed that Apple had completed a low-key deal to acquire Beddit, a Finnish company that makes sleep-tracking devices compatible with apps for both iOS and the Apple Watch.

New York design house of modern luxury accessories and lifestyle brands, Coach Inc has acquired its rival Kate Spade & Company for $2.4 billion, a figure “not justified strictly by the numbers” according to the New York Times.

Apple has hit the headlines this week with the media speculating whether or not they are set for a mammoth acquisition due to its significant and ever-growing stash of cash.

This week it was announced SiriusXM would acquire San Francisco-based connected car company Automatic Labs Inc. in a deal worth $100 million, according to TechCrunch.

According to a recent report, UK companies are braced for a surge in deal-making this year, as executives prepare their businesses for life away from the European Union.

After several weeks of speculation, it has been announced that global lab testing specialist Exova has accepted an all-cash takeover from its industry rival Element Materials Technology Group.

In the biggest deal of the company’s 120-year history, medical device giant Becton, Dickinson & Company has announced its acquisition of C.R. Bard for $24 billion.

It appears many buyers are once again attempting to bag bargain acquisitions by exploiting business owners blinded by multi-million pound cheques and disadvantaged by a lack of advice from a seasoned M&A professional.

This week, PetSmart announced its intention to acquire fast-growing pet food and product site Chewy.com in a deal alleged to fetch $3.35 billion, surpassing Walmart’s $3.3 billion purchase of Jet.com to become the biggest e-commerce deal ever.

Following months of speculation, it was confirmed last week that US cereal giant Post Holdings is to acquire British cereal company Weetabix in a deal worth £1.4 billion.

7-Eleven Inc, the premier name and largest chain in the convenience-retailing industry, recently announced that it has entered into an asset purchase agreement with Sunoco LP. As part of the agreement, 7-Eleven will acquire approximately 1,108 convenience stores located in 18 states.

In a move announced on 5th April 2017 and comes hot on the heels of last month’s high profile DowDuPont mega-merger, valued at $130bn, ChemChina has won conditional EU antitrust approval for its $43 billion bid for Syngenta, a Swiss pesticides and seeds group.

Benchmark International is pleased to announce the sale of Label Express Limited to Lynx Equity, a world-renowned manager of private equity funds based in Canada with a diversified portfolio of companies throughout North America.

For the past decade Lynx Equity has focused on 100% acquisitions of old-economy, North American businesses, before entering into the European market at the beginning of 2017.  Benchmark International assisted Lynx Equity with the successful acquisition of London-based SignalHome in February, and, with the purchase of Label Express, it is clear that the acquisition trail is proving fruitful.

Established over 30 years ago, Label Express is an industry leading provider of express labelling services, including in-house manufacturing and studio capabilities, to a wide range of underserved niche industries. The company’s strong customer service and sales departments have helped to consistently drive growth over the last seven years, and, today, Label Express is proud to be the label supplier of choice to its many clients.

Roger Forshaw, Associate Director at Benchmark International, who headed up the deal commented, “I am absolutely delighted that we’ve managed to find our clients an acquirer that not only shares the same ethos they instilled over 30 years ago, but also a buyer that will ensure the Label Express name continues long into the foreseeable future. This is made even more satisfying given our clients’ previous attempts to secure a suitable acquirer over the last three years – we are pleased that our efforts made the difference and resulted in a success story for all concerned. I would like to wish my clients all the best with the next chapter of their lives”.

Benchmark International are pleased to announce that a deal has been agreed for the sale of Scan Alarms & Security Systems Limited to Secom PLC.

Benchmark International is taking full advantage of the strength in the M&A middle market. We are delighted to announce the closing of 10 deals in just 30 days; and, our clients are thrilled with the results.

Benchmark International are pleased to announce that a deal between Hi-Tech Products Limited and Siegwerk has been agreed.

Benchmark International has successfully facilitated the sale of Progressive Industries, Inc to Power Products LLC. With this acquisition, Power Products LLC expands its product offering and distribution base in the recreational vehicle industry.

Benchmark International has successfully facilitated the transaction between Advanced Renal Care, Inc. and Fresenius Medical Care of North America. Fresenius Medical Care of North America is one of the largest dialysis providers in north America. Advanced Renal Care, Inc. is a dialysis provider in Tampa, Florida.

Dr. Stanley Dennison, CEO and Owner of Advanced Renal Care, Inc. stated, “I would like to thank Benchmark International for their drive, and focus on closing this transaction. This transaction faced difficulties at times. The Benchmark International team always stayed focused, and did not falter in the time of need.”

“We are truly excited to have acquired Advanced Renal Care, Inc. This presents a fantastic opportunity for Fresenius Medical Care to treat new patients,” stated Erik Lyesiuk, Senior Director of Mergers & Acquisitions of Fresenius Medical Care.

Benchmark International Director Dara Shareef stated, “We would like to congratulate both Advanced Renal Care, Inc. and Fresenius Medical Care of North America. This acquisition is a terrific strategic move for Fresenius Medical Care, allowing them to enter the Tampa Bay market. The buyer truly valued our clients location and access to major hospitals in the area. We feel this deal was win-win for both sides and wish all the best in the future.”

Benchmark International facilitated the sale of Weigelt Enterprises, LCC headquartered in Buda, Texas with additional locations throughout Central Texas. They were acquired by an undisclosed financial buyer based in Austin, Texas.

Benchmark International has successfully facilitated the transaction between C&S Carpet Distribution, Inc. and Best Logistics Group. Best Logistics Group is a leading logistics provider in the southeast United States. C&S Carpet Distribution, Inc. is a truckload and LTL distributor and logistics provider of flooring products throughout the southeast.

C&S Carpet Distribution is a distribution and logistics provider in the southeast United States. C&S Carpet specialized in the movement of flooring products, such as: carpet, wood, laminate, turf, etc. The company is strategically located in Dalton, GA, which has been affectionately titled by industry players “the carpet capital of the world”. Best Logistics Group (the acquirer) is a large logistics provider located in the southeast, which has been actively seeking to expand into new industries. When Benchmark International approached Best Logistics Group with the C&S Carpet Distribution acquisition opportunity, immediate interest was shown, and the deal closed very quickly as all sides were motivated.

“I would like to thank the Benchmark International team for their dedication and persistence. Their M&A deal expertise allowed us to complete a transaction quickly and quietly, just as I sought to do. Benchmark ensured that the team at Best Logistics Group truly understood that the unique value of my business lies in both the location, and its diverse distribution channels.” - Pete Bethea, President and Owner of C&S Carpet Distribution.

Benchmark International Director, Dara Shareef, added, “We would like to congratulate both the C&S Carpet Distribution, Inc. and Best Logistic Group teams. This acquisition is a terrific strategic move for Best Logistic Group allowing them to implement the floor distribution niche into their nationwide distribution network. The buyer truly valued our client’s current distribution channels, and location, being in the carpet capital of the world. We feel this deal was a win-win for both sides and wish all the best in the future.”

In the biggest deal to date in the natural and organic foods category, and in its largest takeover since 2007, French food company Danone is set to double the size of its US business this month with the acquisition of US organic food producer WhiteWave Foods. This included significant run-rate EBIT synergies of $300 million by 2020, an improvement of Danone’s full year like-for-like sales growth by an extra 0.5 percent to 1 percent, an increase of EBIT margin from 2018 and solid EPS improvement from 2017 and above 10 percent based on run-rate synergies.

Benchmark International is pleased to have advised on an agreed deal for the sale of Middletons Hotel Limited to Thwaites PLC.

Market trends mean that deal analysts can typically anticipate which mega-merger is on the cards, or which up-and-coming business is likely to be snapped up by a bigger company. But there are times when M&A announcements come as a real surprise to the industry. Some deals seem so strange that even industry experts expect them to fail.

Benchmark International is pleased to announce the sale of Vitanium Systems Limited to Lane Telecommunications.

The $130bn mega-merger between US chemical giants Dow Chemical and DuPont has been given the go-ahead by the European Commission. Earlier this year, it was announced that the deal would be subject to an investigation from EU competition regulators due to antitrust concerns.

Benchmark International is pleased to announce the sale of H&G Systems Limited to ATS Global.

It was announced this week that Apple has purchased DeskConnect, the start-up business behind popular iOS app, Workflow.

Following President Donald Trump’s inauguration in January, he appointed the then-Commissioner of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Ajit Pai as the Commission’s Chairman. Pai has served as Commissioner since his appointment by President Obama in 2012, however industry experts predict that Pai’s new role as Chairman spells a positive outlook for M&A in the telecoms sector.

It’s no secret that Walmart has grand plans to muscle in on some of Amazon’s online retail market share and it seems the US retail giant has edged closer with the acquisition of ModCloth.

Pinterest, the photo sharing site, has announced this week its acquisition of Jelly, the Q&A app founded by Biz Stone, cofounder of Twitter, in 2013.