Benchmark International is pleased to announce the acquisition of Coventry-based LEVL by Canadian-based Banyan.

LEVL, established in 2016 by Jan O’Hara and Andrew Pearce, is a key Geotab reseller in the UK and for electric vehicles (EVs) across Europe. The company provides hardware and software to allow customers to manage fleet, also delivering consultancy on transitioning fleet to sustainable alternative vehicles and alternative fuels.

Banyan is a private equity company that focuses on niche software with high levels of annual recurring revenue. With a permanent capital base set up to preserve the legacy of founders, Banyan has a buy and hold for life strategy for growing software companies.

Benchmark International facilitated the transaction between Schlummersack and empact brands. Watch as shareholder of Schlummersack, Karina Grassy, discusses her motivations for exiting the company, her experience with Benchmark International, and what she plans to do post-sale.

Benchmark International is pleased to announce the acquisition of Portishead-based Brunel by private equity-backed Obsequio.

Brunel has 25 years’ expertise in designing, installing, and maintaining security systems, door entry systems, perimeter security, and fire detection and alarm systems. It also undertakes fire and security risk assessments, with employees security-cleared to government standards.

Obsequio maintains safety systems across fire detection and protection, water quality management, security, electrical safety, and energy efficiency/usage with customers including hospitals, universities, local authorities, leisure centres, and student accommodation providers. The group has been named one of the 100 fastest growing private companies in the UK with sales topping £14 million over the last 12 months.

The services offered by Portishead-based Brunel Fire and Security will significantly increase Obsequio’s ability to provide full capability access control, intruder alarm and CCTV services.

Brunel, which will remain independent within the group, has a particularly strong pedigree within the defence and facilities management industries, broadening the group’s reach into these sectors.

Benchmark International is pleased to announce the acquisition of Glasgow-based Community Pharmacology Services (CPS Research) by FutureMeds.

CPS Research conducts phase II-IV clinical trials and has over 30 years of clinical research experience. With a reach throughout the central belt of Scotland, the CPS team has conducted over 250 studies across a wide range of therapeutic areas and indications, such as cardiology, endocrinology, gastroenterology, gynaecology, orthopaedics, psychiatry, immunology, dermatology, and respiratory medicine.

FutureMeds is the first European dedicated decentralised clinical trial (DCT) site network. Through acquisitions and a strategic focus on patient experience, FutureMeds has developed large, qualified patient pools across Europe that enable faster patient enrolment, stronger retention and more accurate results.

This expansion promises to bring enhanced solutions to clients and accelerated access to new treatments for patients. CPS Research has over 4,000 engaged patients in the database, and with the FutureMeds DCT toolkit, the catchment area can be extended over the Glasgow urban area.

Benchmark International is pleased to announce the acquisition of Schlummersack’s e-commerce business by empact brands.

Watch the video testimonial here.

Schlummersack, based in Plauen, Germany, is one of the leading brands for high-quality baby clothing. The company specializes in the production of sustainable and innovative baby sleeping bags, which are sold online throughout Europe.

In August 2023, empact, which already successfully distributes the TupTam brand in the same sector, acquired the Schlummersack e-commerce business from Karina Grassy. Ms. Grassy will continue to assist the new owners as advisor. Managing Director of Schlummersack, Elke Kramer, will continue her role within the empact group.

empact brands, based in Düsseldorf, Germany, is a specialised consolidator of sustainable brands in two sectors: kids and pets. With the acquisition of Schlummersack, empact aims to leverage synergies within its group of brands.

Benchmark International is pleased to announce the successful sale of South African-based GreatSoft to the globally recognized Vela Software International Inc., a subsidiary of Constellation Software Inc.

Benchmark International is pleased to announce the acquisition of North Shields-based Datatron by Kent-based Apogee.

Founded in 1996, Datatron became the first dedicated bureau in the North of England, pioneering document scanning services.

Datatron currently processes over three million documents per week, delivering services to a large number of customers across the public and private sectors. The company has distinguished expertise within the NHS and is responsible for building and maintaining one of the UK's largest digital patient record archives.

Apogee is Europe’s leading provider of managed workplace services, supporting 150,000+ devices for over 10,000 clients across the UK and Europe.

Datatron will complement Apogee’s existing portfolio of outsourced document services, allowing it to deliver a market-leading scanning operation coupled with a unique virtual record management platform.

Enth Degree facilitates the implementation and management of network connectivity from financial institutions and organizations to the global financial messaging network.

Benchmark International is delighted to announce the acquisition of Deeside-based drainage services business, PDS, by Salford-based Thermatic.

Established in 2009, PDS offers drainage and wastewater services including CCTV surveys, HPW cleaning, lining, and repairs around the North Wales, Cheshire, Wirral, and North West areas.

Thermatic provides mechanical and electrical maintenance services to building owners and managers throughout the UK and Ireland. The acquisition supports the Thermatic operating model by expanding its technical self-delivery capabilities and supplements their hard facility management offering in the UK.

Post acquisition, all PDS staff will transfer to Thermatic’s existing drainage division, along with its extensive fleet and equipment.

It is the company's second major transaction, following the purchase of a critical ventilation business in 2019, and forms part of Thermatic's goal of supporting current and prospective customers in both private and public sectors.

Steven Partington, director at PDS, said this about working with Benchmark International:

“Overall a great experience in what were very stressful circumstances. The initial teaser and IM were brilliant in locating the right buyer for our business, which I am hugely grateful for. Along the way the Benchmark team were very informative with updates on potential interest, and at the deal end of the process were very professional in helping get everything over the line.”

Monarch Title (seller) is a multi-location Missouri-based title insurance agency. They offer a full suite of closing services as well as title insurance.

Benchmark International is pleased to announce the acquisition of Automaten Winkels GmbH & CO. KG (trading as Euroscope) by a German Search Fund candidate.  

Euroscope, based in Wuppertal, Germany, is Europe's largest producer and operator of coin operated telescopes and souvenir vending machines with more than 3,000 installed coin telescopes, penny press machines and souvenir vending machines. The company specializes in the assembling and operation of souvenir medals, tokens and coin telescopes, an integral part of any tourist attraction or landmark.

In July 2023, a German Search Fund candidate, backed by institutional equity sponsors, acquired 100% of the company shares from Jochen Winkels and Dr. Bettina Bähr. They will remain in the company for a transition period to hand over their managing responsibilities to the Search Fund candidate.

Benchmark International has successfully facilitated a transaction between IEM Energy Consultants to White Wolf Capital.

Benchmark International is pleased to announce the transaction between TDS Erectors, Inc. and Capital Extension Crane & Lift. The transaction represents a strategic expansion for Capital Extension as they look to achieve scale through acquisitions. 

Benchmark International is pleased to announce the acquisition of Wicklow-based Paramount Packaging by Mediahuis Ireland, through its Reach Group subsidiary.

Paramount Packaging was established in 1997 and is an industry leading importer, distributor and supplier of premium flexible plastic, paper and environmentally friendly packaging and solutions to the pharmaceutical, retail, food services, merchant, and industrial industries.

Reach Group is a logistics and supply chain specialist, operating in a variety of sectors across multiple channels including grocery retail, hotels, cafes, delicatessens, schools, hospitals, medical centres, pharmacies, libraries and more.

The company comprises a number of business units, including Reach-Delpac, a supplier of catering disposables, food-to-go packaging, hygiene products and luxury retail packaging. It also has Reach Stationery, a stationery wholesale operation with brands that include Supreme Stationery and Newspread, the national distribution organisation for newspapers and magazines in Ireland.

Mediahuis Ireland is a Belgian/Dutch-owned media organisation that is based in Dublin and publishes national daily newspapers, Sunday newspapers, regional newspapers and operates multiple websites including Independent.ie.

Benchmark International has successfully facilitated the transaction of George W. Evan & Associates. They are a Managing General Agent that services individual and commercial insurance agents. The firm lends its expertise in helping in

Benchmark International is pleased to announce the acquisition of the Marlyn Group by Letsema.

Dynamac, Inc. (Seller) is an Illinois based, precision computer numerical control (CNC) machining facility.  Dynamac employs the latest in high-speed machining and sophisticated automation to satisfy the myriad challenging demands from their customers. Their niche expertise is CNC production milling and turning of aluminum, stainless, kovar, copper and brass.   

Benchmark International has successfully facilitated a transaction between CCDI, Inc. (Cocoa Beach, Florida) and Black Powder Holdings DBA Black Powder Partners (North Carolina).

Benchmark International successfully facilitated the transaction of M&M Extendo (also known as Extendobed), an aftermarket automotive manufacturer specializing in truck bed slide trays and extenders. The company supplies standard and customizable truck bed slides, extenders, and accessories to fire departments, law enforcement agencies, and working professionals.  

Benchmark International is pleased to announce the acquisition of Dublin-based EQA to Kent-based Amtivo.

Benchmark International has successfully facilitated a transaction between New Jersey-based CDM Group, LLC (“CDM,” DBA EPIC Software Development) and Minnesota-based Aubrant, LLC.

Benchmark International is pleased to announce the acquisition of Doncaster-based T&RS Engineering by Rendel, subsidiary of French-owned Ingerop Group.

T&RS Engineering is a rail engineering consultancy, specialising in the maintenance and overhaul of a full range of traction and rolling stock for train operating companies, rolling stock leasing companies, and rail service providers.

Established for over 180 years, Rendel is a multidisciplinary, international engineering design consultancy that provides services to contractors, clients, and on major engineering and construction projects worldwide.

It has completed more than 6,000 assignments throughout the Americas, Europe, Africa, Middle East, Asia and Australia. Recent and ongoing projects include HS2 Colne Valley Viaduct and Chiltern Tunnel Shafts Stages 1 and 2; Suburban Rail Loop, Melbourne, Australia; Hinkley Point C; and Eurotunnel.

Morgan Wood Products, Inc. is a leading broker of pallets based in Columbus, Ohio, serving 41 states and provinces. The COVID crisis fundamentally altered the pallet industry, and Morgan Wood was well-positioned to expand its operations due to the market shift. By 2022 the company had reached the stage where its owner and founder, Luke Reinstetle, saw the benefit of bringing in outside capital and resources to keep its growth moving ahead.

Benchmark International has successfully facilitated a transaction between Florida-based Hole Montes Inc. (Hole Montes) and Virginia-based Bowman Consulting Group Ltd. (Bowman).

Benchmark International is pleased to announce the acquisition of Walsall-based First Response by Slough-based Impact Futures.

Family-run approved training provider, First Response, offers a range of first aid, mental health, fire marshal, evac-chair, manual handling, people handling, food hygiene, and eLearning courses to organisations and individuals throughout the UK.

Impact Futures is a pioneer in the field of innovative training solutions, delivering bespoke, high-quality training programmes that add value to organisations and support individuals in achieving nationally recognised qualifications.

The acquisition of First Response serves as a bolt-on to Impact Futures learning programmes, expanding the company’s portfolio of training solutions for businesses and individuals.

Benchmark International has successfully facilitated a transaction between Blue Wave Capital and Consulting, LLC (“Blue Wave”) and Houston-based Pelican Energy Partners (“Pelican”).  

Benchmark International has successfully facilitated a transaction between Sunny Morning Foods, Inc. (Fort Lauderdale, FL) and Burris Logistics (Milford, Delaware).  

Benchmark International is pleased to announce the acquisition of Marlborough-based Trident Water and Nottingham-headquartered Phenna Group.

Trident Water was established in 2002 and is a water treatment and water hygiene specialist with a focus on legionella control. With a wide and varied client base across a range of sectors, Trident Water is currently a trusted partner at over 200 sites across the UK.

Phenna Group's aim is to invest in and partner with selected niche, independent testing, inspection, certification and compliance (TICC) companies that serve a variety of sectors. A highly acquisitive group, this is Phenna’s eighth acquisition this year, further augmenting its market leading built environment platform, and adding geographic reach and complementary services to its existing offerings.

The deal also represents the fifth acquisition by Phenna Group conducted via Benchmark International. Other deals have included the acquisitions of GMES, Facit Testing, Ecology Solutions, and Safety Services.

Benchmark International is pleased to announce Bidvest Branded Products Holdings' acquisition of Green Home Products. For over a decade, Green Home Products has blazed a trail in introducing environmentally friendly, compostable food packagings solutions, such as bagasse and plant-based bioplastic products, to the Southern African market. Established by Catherine Morris, the company has earned a reputation as an industry pioneer, leveraging a strong brand, high-quality products, and an experienced workforce to meet growing demand. Its strategic location and established supplier and customer relationships facilitate the prompt delivery of goods and services to its broad clientele. With an emphasis on social responsibility and sustainability, the company has remained at the forefront of the industry.

Benchmark International is pleased to announce the transaction between Devon-based South West Intervention Services (SWIS) and Manchester-based Tristone.

SWIS is a care provider that collaborates with local authorities and educational institutions to provide young people with support and intervention programmes tailored to each individual’s personal needs. The provider, which currently supports 120 individuals and employs 35 people across the region, works to re-engage children in education, with an emphasis on attaining their English, Maths and Science, while also strengthening their ability to manage behaviours.

Tristone Healthcare, owned by Tristone Capital, is a privately owned buy-and-build company that invests in profitable, cash generative businesses with good prospects for growth, and that have committed and capable management teams.

Tristone Healthcare's strategy is to acquire and build high-quality businesses with strong fundamentals, delivering outstanding care and support to vulnerable people who need it most. This acquisition extends Tristone's footprint further into the social care sector, broadening its geographical reach and adding new specialisms to the investor’s expanding portfolio.

The seller, American Engineers, Inc (AEI), is an engineering firm comprised of several offices. Their focus is primarily on transportation, industrial, utility, and municipality space.

With decades of experience across multiple markets and geographies, they have risen to the top of their respective field. Their motto “Designing Your Future”, paired with investments in innovative technology and the most proficient people, allow them to continually deliver excellence.

Benchmark International is pleased to announce Vogl Venture's acquisition of eLogger. eLogger is an innovative software developer focused on providing electronic logbook solutions for electric utilities, water utilities, oil & gas companies, and other industrial operations. Founder Ron Vogl has decades of experience wearing many hats in his industry. He has been a forerunner in business-to-business enterprise software and a leader, manager, and operator of his product. Sally-Anne Hughes (Hughes Klaiber) represented Vogl Ventures during the transaction.

Benchmark International is pleased to announce the acquisition of James Hamilton Group by Zeus Group.

Established in 1923 in Northern Ireland, James Hamilton Group is a multidisciplinary B2B distributor of packaging, label production, office supplies, and personal protective equipment services across multiple sectors including retail, food and beverage production, logistics, and distribution. The company has annual sales of €18m (£15.4m) and 120 employees.

Irish-owned Zeus Group is one of the largest packaging companies in Ireland and the UK. It supplies packaging solutions for both individuals and small businesses. It now has 51 locations worldwide, having embarked on a series of acquisitions since 2019.

By joining forces with James Hamilton Group, Zeus will expand its current offering in the food and retail packaging sector. It will leverage the combined purchasing power and unlock operational efficiencies across its combined operations in Northern Ireland. 

The purchase forms part of Zeus Group's 2023 growth strategy to propel group revenues beyond €500m.

Following the transaction, James Hamilton Group will continue to operate under its established brand, leveraging its existing manufacturing expertise and management team.

Benchmark International is pleased to announce the transaction between Essex-based ILS Holdings and Burnley-based EFS Global.

ILS Holdings is the parent company of subsidiaries Sussex Pallet Services and Independent Logistic Solutions, an East Sussex-based freight transport collection and delivery service firm that operates throughout Europe.

EFS Global provides warehousing, haulage, customs clearances, vehicle maintenance and logistics services across the UK and worldwide. It has over 32 depots, 600 vehicles and 1,000+ staff across its 25 companies in the group.

EFS Global's 23rd acquisition since 2015, the transaction further consolidates the group’s position in the South East after it purchased sister companies Eminence Transport Ltd and Floryn Ltd last year.

EFS Global has acquired the company's entire issued share capital, bringing on board a workforce of more than 40 people. It plans to implement a ‘business as usual’ approach with a strategy of building on what has already been achieved by ILS’ management team over the past few years.

The seller, Brookshire Learning Center, is an early childhood development institution that prepares children for learning in an engaging and secure atmosphere. Their numerous premier award-winning facilities stretching across Indiana, support the needs of families in local communities by superseding conventional daycare options. 

Benchmark International is pleased to announce the acquisition of Dublin-based Macro Works by environmental consultancy APEM.

Macro Works is a landscape consultancy firm specialising in the landscape & visual impact assessment (LVIA) of proposed developments, particularly in large scale infrastructure projects such as wind farms, solar farms, road schemes, and water/electrical transmission. The company also produces photomontages, 3D visual simulations, glint & glare reports, and landscape design.

APEM provides independent environmental consultancy and expert advice to a wide range of industries including water, renewables, power & utilities, marine & ports, transport, construction, and development. The company provides digital aerial wildlife surveys, specialist marine, freshwater, terrestrial ecology, and geospatial services to organisations across the world.

APEM has offices in the UK, Ireland, Australia, Germany, and the USA. Since receiving private equity investment from WestBridge in 2019, APEM has seen its revenue grow from £10m to a forecast c.£60m in the current financial year, employing 540 people across five divisions.

Earlier this week, APEM announced it had secured a +£50m debt package and additional accordion from Tikehau Investment Management UK, with an additional £7.5m working capital facility from Virgin Money to accelerate its ambitious growth strategy.

Benchmark is pleased to announce the transaction between Electromagnetic Industries LLP and Olympic Controls Corporation. The reason for targeting was strategic expansion.

Benchmark International is pleased to announce the acquisition of electrical infrastructure specialists, Poise Group, by the BRUSH Group.

Rajic Agrawal, director at Poise Group, said this about working with Benchmark International: “What an amazing and professional group of people Benchmark have. This was my first time selling a company and without Benchmark we couldn't have done what we did. I have no words to describe their excellence in this field. Strongly recommend them to anyone.”

Poise Group is a design consultancy specialising in major infrastructure projects across a diverse range of sectors including rail, civil engineering, and electric vehicle charging.