Benchmark International is pleased to announce the acquisition of both Blue Octopus HR & Recruitment Limited and Blue Octopus Recruitment Limited (Blue Octopus), by IRIS.

Benchmark International is pleased to announce the acquisition of Scientific Support Services (SSS) by Los Angeles-headquartered Calibre Scientific.

SSS is a long-established distributor of high-quality laboratory instrumentation including chromatography systems, hydrogen & air generators, gas mixers & diluters, XRF analysers, optical instruments, and consumables. Specialising in complete turnkey solutions, the company offers equipment supply, installation, breakdown repair, and annual servicing.

Calibre Scientific is a diversified global provider of life science reagents, tools, instruments, and other consumables to lab research, diagnostics, industrial, and biopharmaceutical communities. The company owns a portfolio of life science and diagnostic companies and has a global reach that extends to over 175 countries.

With this acquisition, Calibre Scientific expands its product offering and enhances its market share in the UK by adding a variety of new customer relationships in key end markets.

Benchmark International is pleased to announce the acquisition of Watford-based The Combined Services Provider (CSP) and Norland Equity Partners (NEP).

Benchmark International is pleased to announce the acquisition of Essex-based Clearview by London-based Foresight, a transaction announced as Insider Media’s Deal of the Month in November.

Benchmark International was recognized in PitchBook’s Q3 League Tables for 2023 as the #1 most active privately-held M&A company in the world. Other firms in the rankings focus on both the buy and sell sides or are accounting firms.

Benchmark International is delighted to announce the acquisition of Printglaze Group (Printglaze), comprising of Printglaze Limited and Printglaze Packaging Limited, to Dublin-based PrintG.

Printglaze has been providing a wide range of services to the commercial print industry since 1979. It has extensive experience in print finishing, including spot UV, foiling, embossing, and other techniques, along with a specialisation in innovative packaging solutions.

PrintG is a consortium of print companies headed by Paddy Burke and Mick Heavey.

The strategic move supports PrintG’s long-term growth strategy and strengthens its position in the industry, allowing it to offer an enhanced range of services to its customer base.

Benchmark International is delighted to share the testimonial of our recently acquired client, Northridge.  

Benchmark International is pleased to announce the transaction between Gillingham-based Rainham and London-based REL Capital.

Rainham is a coach and minibus hire company, operating several contracts alongside private hire and tour work. It has a modern fleet of vehicles and two sites in Gillingham.

REL Capital  is a UK private investment company that purchases, invests, and operates a number of businesses across a variety of sectors.

Post-sale, Rainham will be operated by REL Redwing, which REL Capital took over in February 2022.

Representing a retirement sale for former owners, the Graham family, the Rainham business will be led by Tom Maidman, director of REL Redwing, and his team.

Benchmark International is pleased to announce the transaction between County Kildare-based G.H. Pittman (t/a Pittman Traffic & Safety Equipment) and Bunzl.

One of the largest distributors of traffic equipment in Ireland, Pittman Traffic & Safety Equipment supplies bollards, speed bumps and barriers for car parks, public roads, warehouses, and workplaces. Its customer base includes property management & facilities management companies, schools, government bodies, and county councils.

In 2022, Pittman Traffic & Safety Equipment generated revenue of EUR 7 million (c.£6 million).

Bunzl is a multinational distribution and outsourcing company headquartered in London. The company has approximately 22,500 employees and is present in over 30 countries, operating across the Americas, Europe, Asia Pacific and the UK & Ireland, serving over 800,000 customers.

The acquisition supports the expansion of Bunzl’s North America based McCue business, which already has a UK presence.

Benchmark International is delighted to announce the acquisition of Didcot-based Aurora Health by RSK.

Aurora Health is a radiation detection and exposure prevention specialist providing consultancy, surveying, remediation, and decommissioning services across the nuclear, industrial, healthcare, environmental, military, oil and gas, and educational sectors. It has an established team of accredited radiation protection advisers, radioactive waste advisers, and non-ionising radiation specialists.

RSK is a global leader in the delivery of sustainable solutions. As RSK continues to deliver its ambitious growth strategy, it now comprises more than 200 companies employing 12,000 people.

Benchmark International is pleased to announce the acquisition between Middlesex-based Bonnell’s and Essex-based fire protection system supplier, EA-RS.

Benchmark International is delighted to announce that it has won Mid-Market Corporate Finance Team of the Year at the Insider Media North West Dealmakers Awards 2023.

Benchmark International is pleased to announce the acquisition of AvBuyer by Flying Media Group (FMG).

Benchmark International is pleased to announce the acquisition of Maidstone-based EPIC by GRS Fleet Graphics, part of the Tosca Capital Group.

Benchmark International is pleased to announce the acquisition of Barcelona-based PUSHTech by hospitality technology specialist, Cendyn, based in Florida.

Benchmark International is pleased to announce that it has been ranked in several of Mergermarket’s league tables for the number of deals it has conducted over the first three quarters of 2023, beating previous record highs.

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 is pleased to announce it has been shortlisted for three awards, two at the Insider Dealmaker Awards and one at the Mergermarket M&A Awards 2023. The winners will be announced on the 12^th October and 28^th November respectively.

The categories in which Benchmark International has been nominated in are below:

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 a finalist for an impressive 22 awards in the 22nd Annual M&A Advisor Awards. Our transactions and firm were among hundreds of entries from 450 participating companies that have successfully passed the initial evaluation stage. The process will continue as the independent panel of judges further evaluates and selects a winner from the finalists in each category. The judges are peers in the mergers and acquisitions transaction space, and it is quite an accomplishment to be recognized thus far as a finalist. 

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.

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.”

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

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.

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 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 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.

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.

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 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.

Benchmark International is pleased to announce the acquisition of rc - research & consulting by management consult. 

Founded in 2002, rc - research & consulting, based in Bielefeld, Germany, is a well-known full-service market research institute. The company provides qualitative and quantitative research services to national and international companies. 

Benchmark International is delighted to announce the transaction between Redruth-based Feritech and Swedish-based Addtech Industrial Solutions, a business area in the Addtech Group.

The agreement is for 90% of the shares outstanding in Feritech.

Feritech designs, manufactures, and supplies turnkey engineering solutions for the geotechnical and subsea sectors through its extensive in-house manufacturing capabilities. Headquartered in Cornwall, the company has 21 employees and a turnover of approximately GBP 4.5 million.

Benchmark International is pleased to announce the acquisition of Manchester-based Gottlieb by national packaging and labels services company, Macfarlane.

Established in 2001, Gottlieb is a supplier of packaging materials, hygiene products and warehouse equipment to a broad range of sectors including clothing retail, printing, and logistics.

Gottlieb, owned by A & G Holdings Ltd, has an experienced team of 15 employees, including two directors, all of whom will remain with the business following the acquisition.

Headquartered in Glasgow, Macfarlane is a listed company that was established in 1949. The company employs more than 1,000 people at 37 sites, principally in the UK, as well as in Ireland, Germany and the Netherlands. In 2022, Macfarlane reported revenue of 290.4 million GBP.

The acquisition highlights Macfarlane’s ‘buy and build’ strategy, aimed at delivering further stakeholder value. Meanwhile, Gottlieb’s customers will also benefit from the deal through Macfarlane’s range of protective packaging products and services.

Benchmark International is pleased to announce that flavoured coffee brand, Beanies, has joined forces with Greek counterparts, Cafetex, in a move it says could lead to significant turnover growth.

The North East-based label, which supplies major supermarkets and retailers, says the Paiania-based firm is similarly focused and the partnership creates synergies across a range of products within both firms' markets. It also brings an undisclosed cash investment, described as "significant" for Beanies, which will be used for sales and marketing activities.

Cafetex produces a number of flavoured coffee products including coffee pods – a market Beanies has just entered with the launch of compostable, Nespresso-compatible pods available in the UK and overseas.

John Evans, Beanies executive chairman, said: “Flavour coffee has experienced sustained growth on the high street in the 10 years since Beanies was created, notably through internationally known coffee shop specialists and fast food outlets. With this increased consumer interest, Beanies is in pole position to take advantage of this growth in the retail consumer sector."