Benchmark International is pleased to congratulate Ernst and Young Advisory Services (Pty) Ltd (“EY”) on their acquisition of Parity Software (Pty) Ltd (“Parity”).

Benchmark International has successfully facilitated a transaction between Bone Daddy’s, a Texas barbeque joint, and The Island Spot, a Jamaican restaurant with multiple locations.

The seller, Neil Dornbusch and Associates, located in New Prague, Minnesota, has been providing pumping and fluid handling solutions since 1988. They fabricate and custom-build food processing plants, specializing in sanitary and stainless-steel applications. They also assist with the design of fluid handling systems.

Benchmark International successfully facilitated the transaction between Access Truck Parts with Summit Hydraulics, backed by North Branch Capital.

Benchmark International has successfully facilitated a transaction between Mills River, NC-based Dover Foods, Inc. and Translyvania Vocational Services, Inc. (TVS) of Brevard, North Carolina. Dover is a manufacturer of high-quality dry mix consumer packaged goods (CPGs), including a high-growth private label business. TVS is a mission-oriented manufacturer of dry packaged goods, selling its products largely through USDA and USAID hunger assistance, food bank, and other programs.

Benchmark International is pleased to announce the acquisition of the Fastway Couriers’ National Master (Fastway South Africa), Fastway Johannesburg, and Fastpost businesses by City Logistics (Pty) Ltd in partnership with Clearwater Capital (Pty) Ltd.

Benchmark International successfully facilitated the transaction between Lenhart Electric Company and InCharge, LLC.

Benchmark International successfully facilitated the transaction between Dallas Plumbing Company and Air Pros USA.

Iconic Media Group and The Mayo News today announce that an agreement in principle, subject to normal regulatory approvals and clearance, has been reached to purchase the Westport-based local newspaper.

The Mayo News is one of the longest established newspapers in the country, having been established in 1892. The paper has a proud history of serving the local community with its efforts being recognised by a host of awards including the prestigious European Local Newspaper of The Year prize twice, in 2007 and 2014.

The Mayo News has been in the ownership of the Berry family for a number of decades.

Iconic Media Group is Ireland's largest independently owned regional newspaper and media group. Should the sale be approved, it would increase the footprint of the company, which already owns over 15 local weekly titles. These include The Donegal Democrat, The Limerick Leader and The Leinster Express.

Metaphase Design Group, Inc. is a leader in applying the science of human factors engineering and ergonomics to product design. Metaphase incorporates various areas of specialization in their User-Centered Design Innovation Process, combining them with extensive expertise in Industrial Design and Human Factors research and support.

Benchmark International represented A to Z Insurance in the company’s sale to Acrisure. A to Z Insurance, headquartered in Corpus Christi, Texas, is an independent insurance agency specializing in commercial trucking policies. The agency also offers a variety of personal and commercial insurance policies and represents many of the nation’s leading insurance providers. A to Z Insurance has four locations throughout Texas.

Hexagon Electrical (Pty) Ltd (Hexagon Electrical) designs, manufactures and re-conditions a large range of flameproof and non-flameproof motors, switchgear, transformers, flameproof and non-flameproof enclosures, flameproof auxiliary equipment, and standard and flameproof motors for ventilation fans and dust control systems.

Benchmark International has successfully facilitated a transaction between Pennsylvania-based Arora Engineers and Jacmel Growth Partners, a New York-based private investment firm. Arora is a leading professional services firm that provides infrastructure-focused planning, design, program/construction management, facilities management, asset management and technology services primarily to state, local, and federal government customers.

A family business is technically defined as an organization that is owned and operated by at least two members of the same family. Family businesses actually account for around two-thirds of all companies worldwide, and 90% of companies in the U.S. The largest 500 family-owned companies generate annual revenues of $6.5 trillion. Global research has also demonstrated that well-run family companies are more profitable and stay in business longer than other companies, even with the many challenges they face. 

Benchmark International is pleased to announce the acquisition of Middlesbrough-based Doocey North East by Swedish group Netel.

Doocey North East is a specialist utility services provider delivering contract services for telecommunications and fibre-optic networks. Works include the installation of ducts, micro-ducts, access chambers, street cabinets, fibre optic cable installation for local authorities and major private clients. Employing 15 people, in 2020/21 the company recorded net sales of approximately £6.5m.

Founded in 2000, Netel is a leading specialist in critical infrastructures in Northern Europe, carrying out projects as well as services and maintenance for the industry's largest players in power, telecommunications, heating, and water and sewage. The business has a strong local presence via 18 offices and has approximately 660 employees. In 2021, Netel had sales of more than SEK 2.4 billion.

The acquisition marks Netel’s second in the UK within two months as the group rapidly continues its expansion in the growing British fibre market.

Benchmark International has been named 2022’s Best Global Middle Market M&A Specialists by the Global 100. 

Benchmark International is pleased to announce the acquisition of Carlisle-based AndiDrain by Glasgow-headquartered Denholm Energy.

Established in 1990, AndiDrain is a liquid waste management and industrial services company offering a range of services such as tankering, CCTV pipework surveys, waste segregation and recycling, sewer/culvert renovation, and relining.

Denholm is an international services provider supplying leading edge services across industry sectors including oil and gas, marine, defence, petrochemical, renewables, utilities, and distilleries. Employing over 4,500 people, the company has operations in the UK, USA, Caspian, and Middle East and has an annual turnover in excess of £190m.

The move by Denholm Energy's subsidiary, Denholm Environmental Services, further strengthens Denholm’s waste management and industrial services offering. It also expands the geographic footprint of Denholm Environmental from the Scottish Highlands down to the Midlands and adds a comprehensive and market leading range of equipment to the portfolio.

Andrew Little, managing director of AndiDrain, said this about working with Benchmark International:

“I would like to thank Roger, James, Charlotte, Nick and the rest of the team for a job well done with the sale of the company. I can highly recommend Benchmark to anyone who requires a M&A specialist to guide them through what can be difficult times when dealing with due diligence.”

Benchmark International is pleased to announce the acquisition of Dublin-based Keyhouse by Toronto-based Dye & Durham, one of the world’s most trusted providers of mission-critical software for legal, financial and business professionals with operations in Canada, Australia, the U.K. and Ireland.

Keyhouse is a leading software solutions company providing cloud-based software systems, training and services to solicitors and legal service providers throughout the Republic of Ireland.

Dye & Durham provides legal and business professionals with a suite of market-leading products designed for efficiency, accuracy and instant access to public records.

Brian Sweeney, managing director at Keyhouse, commented: “As part of the Dye & Durham family, Keyhouse will continue to provide leading cloud-based software systems, training and services to legal professionals across the Republic of Ireland, but now backed with the full support and resources of the multi-national Dye & Durham. This acquisition will result in greater integrations with third-party systems from within Dye & Durham, including search facilities, AML, quote conversion and on-boarding applications and compliance modules.”

Benchmark International is delighted to announce the acquisition of Manchester-based Hargreaves Jones by London-based CCi.

Established in 2005, Hargreaves Jones is a consultancy providing commercial and project management services to clients primarily in the large-scale infrastructure sectors including nuclear decommissioning, electricity generation and distribution, oil and gas, green energy generation, transportation, and manufacturing both in the UK and internationally.

CCi, a Rimkus company, is an independent consultancy with an international reputation for expertise in the insurance and construction industries. Operating from over 17 locations worldwide, CCi has a dedicated team of 115 experts helping to resolve some of the world’s largest and most complex insurance claims and construction disputes.

Rimkus has been established for over 40 years and now operates from more than 110 offices worldwide. It is a provider of engineering and technical consulting services to corporations, insurance companies, law firms, and government agencies. Rimkus also provides architecture, engineering, and construction services for the built environment, including restoration design, facilities risk assessments, and due diligence property condition assessments.

The acquisition will support the advancement of CCi’s expertise to deliver commercial and project management services to clients engaged in capital construction and engineering activities on both large and small infrastructure projects.

Benchmark International is pleased to announce the acquisition of Swindon-based Tops Security by London-based Banham.

Tops Security is a provider of electronic security systems for domestic and commercial customers, offering a comprehensive product range including intruder and fire alarm systems, CCTV, and access control systems. The company provides a turnkey solution, providing customers with design, installation, and on-going technical support.

Founded in 1926, Banham has grown to become the largest provider of security systems to properties in London and the South East of England. The family-run business, currently in its fourth generation of the Banham family, has seen significant year-on-year growth.

Actively acquiring over the last few years, Banham has expanded its reach into the West Country, therefore making the acquisition of Tops Security a natural fit.

The companies also share several core values as industry experts with a strong family ethos.

Benchmark International is pleased to announce the acquisition of London-based Zencom to Wynard-based Communicate.

Zencom supplies inbound and outbound call services to SMEs and blue-chip companies including call routing, invoicing and online real-time management call statistics.

Since 2011, Communicate has been a specialist in IT, telecoms and cyber-security, keeping over 500 businesses and 50,000 users connected and secure across the UK.

The acquisition will add specialist SME-centred services to Communicate’s offering and unlock new service lines. It is the company’s third buy as part of its buy and build strategy and has been facilitated by a £1.5m investment from BOOST&Co.

Gregory Jackson, Benchmark International’s CEO, was named International CEO of the Year (Corporate Finance) by the Gamechangers™ 2022 Global Awards, adding to his growing and impressive list of accolades.

Benchmark International is delighted to announce the acquisition of Liverpool-based Notus by Warrington-based British Engineering Services.

Notus is an engineering consultancy specialising in the delivery of heavy lift and transport consultancy services, lifting assurance, and the planning and execution of lifting operations. Services are delivered across the energy, rail, defence, and construction sectors throughout the UK and Europe.

For over 160 years British Engineering Services has been engaged in the testing, inspection, and certification of industrial machinery via its highly skilled engineer surveyors and engineering consultants. The British Engineering Services Group team has grown considerably due to ongoing recruitment activity and acquisitions and now consists of almost 1,000 people.

The acquisition is British Engineering Services' seventh since 2019 and the second conducted via Benchmark International in the last two months.

Benchmark International is pleased to announce the acquisition of both Access Plus and TrainingPlus to Briggs Equipment.

Operating from three sites in Scotland – Glasgow, Edinburgh and Irvine – Access Plus has delivered high quality powered access solutions to customers throughout the UK since 1998. The company manages approximately 700 powered access assets, which will help bolster Briggs Equipment’s comprehensive fleet of access equipment and increase coverage in Scotland.

Briggs Equipment is the exclusive national distributor in the UK for the Hyster and Yale ranges of forklift trucks and other materials handling equipment.

According to Pete Jones, Briggs Equipment’s managing director, the group has significantly increased its access equipment capability across the UK and Ireland with the acquisition, enabling the company to accelerate its powered access strategy and deliver a broader proposition to its customers. With the addition of TrainingPlus, the company has the opportunity to expand its existing training services.

George Marriott, Access Plus and TrainingPlus managing director, commented: “We are extremely pleased to be a part of the Briggs Equipment Group following confirmation of the acquisition. Our team can’t wait to get started and continue the ongoing development of our businesses in a strategic and progressive manner. The culture and values of Briggs aligns perfectly with us and we could not have picked a better parent company.

“Throughout the acquisition process the team at Briggs have conducted themselves in an exemplary manner and we are looking forward to working closely as part of the group moving forward. We are determined to maximise the potential of our business, whilst still delivering a great service to our customers and this acquisition will help us deliver on that ambition.”

Commenting on working with Benchmark International, Mr Marriot added: “I was guided to a successful conclusion with a world class expert, James Robinson, at Benchmark. My frustration with due diligence he took ownership of, his attention to detail was faultless and my experience was certainly exceptional. This was my first sale and "my baby" was comfortably delivered into caring hands. James managed the purchaser, my legal team, the accountants, my team and myself with a caring and surety - allowing me to understand the complexities of the deal, which helped me make better decisions along the journey.”

Benchmark International is pleased to announce the transaction between Topsham-based LaddersFree and AIM listed REACT, in a deal worth up to £8.5m.

Established for 20 years, LaddersFree is a commercial window cleaning business serving independent, regional, and national customers across the UK. With an established network of over 300 approved service partners, LaddersFree utilises local window cleaning companies to offer its services to all areas of mainland UK.

Since its inception, LaddersFree has grown organically. Unaudited financials for the year to 30 November 2021 show that it generated revenue of c£3m and a pre-tax profit of c£1.4m.

REACT is an industry leader in the provision of specialist cleaning, working in challenging environments such as hotels, prisons, crime scenes, and cruise ships.

This is REACT Group’s second acquisition and represents a further step in the company’s ambition to achieve its stated growth strategy. The transaction provides REACT with the opportunity to diversify its service offering through expansion into complementary markets, and to leverage existing resources to accelerate growth.

Benchmark International is pleased to announce the sale of Leicester-based Air Projects to Witham-based EA-RS.

Air Projects is a specialist ventilation engineer working on healthcare and commercial projects from basic extraction systems to hospital theatres and laboratories. Air Projects also provides expert advice on an array of services in ventilation, fume extraction, fire damper testing and healthcare compliance.

EA-RS is a provider of intelligent, sustainable, and compliant fire and security systems in the UK. The company installs and maintains a broad range of systems covering critical infrastructures such as data centres and healthcare facilities and serves several other markets such as commercial property, education and social housing.

EA-RS has been backed by Rockpool Investments since 2021, and Air Projects is the seventh company EA-RS Group have acquired since last year.

This acquisition supports the group’s strategy to further broaden its geographic reach and to present new opportunities throughout the UK. Additionally, the transaction will expand both organisations range of services to their respective client bases, including fire damper testing for EA-RS' clients, facilitating growth and enabling synergies between all businesses within the group.

Shaun Sutton, managing director of Air Projects, said this about working with Benchmark International: “Many thanks to James, Charlotte and Roger for their expert advice and professional approach to the whole acquisition process for us. From initial marketing through the negotiations and final due diligence stages, James and Roger have remained flexible, knowledgeable and most of all calm and collected in their manner, which has made the whole process less stressful than it could have been.”

Benchmark International has been named the Best Middle Market M&A Specialists by Corporate Vision’s Corporate Excellence Awards.

Benchmark International has been named the International Mid-market (Corporate Finance) Advisory of the Year by the Gamechangers™ 2022 Global Awards. 

Brittney Zoeller, Benchmark International’s director of marketing, has been named one of the 10 Most Inspiring Women Leaders of 2022 by Industry Era for Women.

Benchmark International is pleased to announce the acquisition of Kent-based Fuse Rail by international construction and civil engineering group, John Sisk & Son (Sisk Rail).

Fuse Rail services electrification and plant requirements within the rail industry. Working on behalf of Network Rail, recent projects have included a new electric distribution cable at a supply cable in Lydden, installation of a new conductor rail on the Sevenoaks tunnel refurbishment, and new reactive DC cabling for the Eastbourne substation.

With a 160-year history, Sisk Rail is an international construction and civil engineering business undertaking structural remediation, buildings refurbishment, mechanical and electrical planned maintenance, litter clearance, earthworks, fencing, drainage clearance and repairs on behalf of Network Rail and other train operating companies. The company has offices throughout Ireland, the UK and mainland Europe, specifically the Benelux, DACH and Nordic regions.

The acquired company will continue to operate under its current branding and management team.

Benchmark International is pleased to announce that it has been ranked in the top 10 by Mergermarket for the number of deals it has conducted in Ireland.

Bank of America, PwC and JPMorgan are amongst the companies to also rank in the top 10.

An Acuris company, Mergermarket delivers M&A intelligence, data and research. To qualify in its league tables, transactions must be over 5m USD in value and publicly available.

James Thornton, COO at Benchmark International, commented: “We are delighted to have been ranked in Mergermarket’s Global & Regional League Tables for the first quarter of 2022. To be ranked in these league tables is further acknowledgement of the hard work and effort our teams put into every transaction.

“Having only established an office in Ireland less than five years ago, it is great to see that we are growing our footprint and have established ourselves as a distinguished institution in this location by conducting a number of deals over 5m USD, competing with M&A industry giants.

“Over the course of the last year, Benchmark International has expanded its international reach further, establishing an office in Germany, and I’m looking forward to seeing what our new team will achieve, and seeing Benchmark International on the German league tables as well very soon!”

Benchmark International is pleased to announce the acquisition of Dublin-based Real Regulatory by private equity-backed tranScrip.

Real Regulatory is a consultancy firm specialising in European regulatory affairs, quality systems and compliance for products including medicines, medical devices, and drug device combinations. Headquartered in Dublin, the company also has offices in Cambridgeshire and Malta.

Founder and managing director, Karen Real, who has more than 35 years’ experience in the pharmaceutical industry, will remain with the business moving forward.

tranScrip is a fast-growing contract drug development organisation which supports the development and lifecycle of medicines. It is backed by private equity firm, Palatine, and the deal is the first acquisition made by the company since securing Palatine’s investment in 2021 via its dedicated Impact Fund.

The strategic acquisition significantly expands tranScrip’s regulatory affairs capabilities, strengthening its ability to provide comprehensive support to its customers.

Benchmark International has advised on the transaction of Irish headquartered O’Flynn Medical and O’Flynn Innovation, to Healthcare 21. O’Flynn will become part of the Healthcare 21 Group, which AddLife acquired in 2021.

Established in 2000, O’Flynn Medical is a leading provider of medical equipment and PPE to Ireland’s care home and domestic markets offering the sale, rental, and associated services and maintenance for a range of specialised products.

O’Flynn Innovation was later established in 2011 for the distribution of automated garment dispensing control systems. Together, the group has become a trusted distributor of medical equipment to the care home and domestic markets.

Established in 2003, Healthcare 21 is an independent medical device distributor offering sales, marketing and technical solutions for many of the world’s leading healthcare equipment manufacturers. The group has an annual revenue exceeding €159 million and more than 450 employees across four European countries.

The acquisition provides Healthcare 21 with the opportunity to expand its portfolio into the rental market segment, to become the leading provider in Ireland. The acquisition also provides entry for Healthcare 21 into the bariatric market segment.

O’Flynn Medical will continue to trade under its existing name and remain headquartered in Macroom, Cork.

Benchmark International is pleased to announce the acquisition of County Cork-based Velopi by Boston-based Educate 360.

Established in 2007 and headquartered in Kinsale, Ireland, Velopi provides training and consultancy services, specialising in the niche of project management. The firm has a list of renowned clients that includes Abbott and Pfizer.

Educate 360 is a professional training partner that designs training, coaching, and consulting solutions to improve efficiency, increase cross-functional alignment, and drive results. The acquisition enables Educate 360 to have a greater reach into the European market and the ability to build upon Velopi’s existing clientele.

Benchmark International has successfully advised on the sale of Edinburgh-based 7 Elements to Harrogate-based Redcentric.

7 Elements is a CREST accredited and award-winning technical assurance services company providing industry-leading security testing, incident response, and bespoke consultancy services.

Established in 1997, AIM-listed Redcentric is a managed service provider. The company operates across five locations and has over 500 employees.

This acquisition expands upon the cyber security skills, capabilities, and services of Redcentric, complementing a growing portfolio, while addressing increasing market demand and customer requirements for security products and support.

Benchmark International has advised on the transaction between Loch Lomond-based Absolute Solar and Wind (Absolute) and Cheshire-based RSK.

Established in 2007, Absolute provides renewable energy design, installation, and maintenance services for commercial and industrial renewable energy projects, primarily in the solar sector.

Working with customers such as Scottish Water, Exeter City Council, Edinburgh Airport, UK Research and Innovation, and local authorities, the Absolute team delivers solar, wind and low carbon heating services in conjunction with its supply chain.

RSK is a global leader in the delivery of sustainable solutions. The transaction marks part of RSK’s continued strategic expansion and is the 28^th acquisition by the company this financial year.

Following the transaction, Absolute will join RSK's Agriculture, Land and Property Management (ALPM) division under the direction of Ian Strudwick. The company will continue to be led by Absolute director Tom Newall.

Benchmark International’s Executive Chairman, Steven Keane, has been named the Best International Chairman of the Year, USA by the Global 100 (2022).

Benchmark International is pleased to announce to acquisition of Livingston-based Boyd Brothers by British Engineering Services.

Family-founded Boyd Brothers is an electrical and civil engineering contractor with over 50 years’ experience. Since its establishment, it has grown to become a specialist in electrical vehicle charging point installations.

For over 160 years British Engineering Services has been engaged in the testing, inspection, and certification of industrial machinery via its highly skilled engineer surveyors and engineering consultants. The acquisition is British Engineering Services' sixth since 2019 and will enhance Boyd Brothers’ electrical division, as well as make specialist services more easily accessible to customers.

Stephen Boyd, managing director at Boyd Brothers, commented: “We’re really happy to have joined the British Engineering Services Group. This is a fantastic move for both businesses. Their growth over the last few years is impressive and we’re excited to be a valuable part of their future.”

Paul Trivett, MD of Electrical and Consultancy at the British Engineering Services Group, said: “This is another great addition to the British Engineering Services Group. We’ve spent lots of time with the Boyd Brothers team over recent months and it’s very clear they share the same values and priorities as the wider Group. Not only do they always put their customer first, but they’re very focused on making sure nothing is left to chance. This will further enhance our presence in the electrical safety field, which we started to develop further with the acquisition of Lantei in December 2020.”

Benchmark International is pleased to announce that Derby-based CFR has been acquired by a private investor.

An exclusive supplier for Felfoldi in the UK, CFR is a distributor of a range of confectionery products including flavoured straws, baked goods & home baking kits, canned drinks, and sweets. Other high-profile customers include national retailers such as Asda, Poundland, and B&M Retail.

CFR was acquired by a private investor, allowing shareholder Christopher Rudd to pursue retirement plans.

Commenting on working with Benchmark International, Mr Rudd said: “Thanks for all your hard work, efforts and your input. You’ve been a huge part of where we got to today.”

At the American Advertising Awards, Benchmark International's marketing team won another ADDY® award for their "Virtual Black Box" in the Microsite category. A microsite is any web page or series of pages that are a part of a larger website but intended to feature specialized information.