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Benchmark International is Exhibiting at UK LP Summit 2024

Benchmark International is delighted to announce it will be exhibiting at UK LP Summit on 8th February 2024 at the Hilton London Canary Wharf.

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Entrepreneurs’ Relief – What’s the Big Deal?

As a business owner looking to sell the worst has been confirmed by Rishi Sunak in his Budget – or has it?

Before the Budget, it was rumoured that Entrepreneurs’ Relief was going to be abolished completely, yet instead it has been reduced from £10m to £1m.

 

Do you have an exit or growth strategy in place?

 

Previously, Entrepreneurs’ Relief reduced the rate of capital gains tax (CGT) from 20% to 10% on the first £10m of gains from disposals of qualifying business assets, with that being reduced to £1m in the Budget. Following this, the higher rate is 20%, which is still a lot less than personal tax. It’s also a lot less than if a seller sold the assets of a business, as they could pay 19% corporation tax, followed by up to 38.1% dividend tax.

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UK Budget Predictions – What Should we Expect to Happen to Entrepreneurs’ Relief?

Following the cabinet reshuffle last week seeing Sajid Javid resign, there was speculation as to whether his successor, Rishi Sunak, would deliver the budget on time. However, it has now been confirmed that the budget will go ahead on the 11th March, giving the new chancellor just three weeks to fine tune his budget.

It is expected that Sunak will rewrite some of Javid’s budget, relaxing some constraints, although he is under pressure from the government to tax the wealthy to cater towards additional spending.

One of the pledges the government made during its election campaign was to reform Entrepreneurs' Relief over concerns it is overly generous to the wealthy and has been criticised due to its unexpected cost to the treasury and failure to meet its policy objectives.

As a brief overview, the policy reduces the rate of Capital Gains Tax from 20% to 10% on the first £10m of gains from disposals of qualifying business assets – which can save up to £1m.

The good news for business owners is the policy is unlikely to be eliminated as the Conservative Party’s policy was to ‘review and reform’ and the relief has always been conceived as a key incentive to entrepreneurs, and encouraging enterprise has always been a priority for UK policy makers. As well, when Entrepreneurs' Relief was first introduced, it replaced business assets taper relief which itself replaced retirement relief, therefore it is likely that a similar relief will be introduced in Entrepreneurs’ Relief stead.

Despite the above speculation, we will not know until the budget is delivered the extent of the reforms. While the simplest way to protect against any changes would be to secure an unconditional exchange of contracts ahead of budget day, if an exit strategy has not already been considered and with only three weeks to go, this is becoming increasingly unlikely. Therefore, any business looking to take advantage of the current Entrepreneurs’ Relief rate should seek specialist professional advice as soon as possible and consider exit options in advance of the 11th March.

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UK & ROI Private Equity Review H1 2019

In the latest report published by Experian regarding UK & ROI deal activity in the first half of 2019, trends have shown that the private equity market has continued to play an active role in M&A activity. While there was an 8% decline in the volume of deals funded by private equity compared to last year, 2018 was a particularly fertile year in the industry and PE houses have still been notably active in the market.

Ready to explore your exit and growth options?

Here is a summary of private equity trends by region:

 

London

There was a private equity element in around 19% of all London deals, up from 17% in H1 2018.

Private equity In London has been increasingly active so far this year and, at the top end, six of the ten biggest deals of the year to date featured a private equity buyer. This included a consortium comprising Kirkbi (the Danish family investment vehicle that controls Lego), Canadian pension fund CPPIB and private equity house Blackstone, who agreed to acquire Merlin Entertainments, the leisure business behind Madame Tussauds and Legoland.

Elsewhere, satellite communications firm Inmarsat agreed to be acquired by a consortium including Apax Partners and Warburg Pincus in a £2.7bn deal, as well as TDR Capital’s £1.9bn deal to purchase BCA Marketplace, the company behind WeBuyAnyCar.

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Benchmark International has Successfully Facilitated the Sale Between Device Access UK Ltd and IGES Institut GmbH

Benchmark International is pleased to announce the transaction between Southampton based consultancy, Device Access, and Berlin based research and consulting institution, IGES Institut.

Founded in 2010 by Michael Branagan-Harris, Device Access supports medical device organisations across the world secure market access into the NHS.

The IGES Institut, founded in 1980, is the core of the IGES group. It is a research and consulting institution for health and infrastructure, conducting over 2,000 research and consulting projects since its establishment.

The acquisition allows IGES Group to continue its European expansion, servicing the growing global medical devices market in which Germany and the UK constitute core markets.

Following the acquisition, Mr Branagan-Harris will continue to be the CEO of Device Access and will additionally lead IGES’ UK business activities as Country Manager, in order to bring the countries’ two markets closer together.

 

Do you have an exit or growth strategy in place?

 

IGES Director, Professor Bertram Häussler, said: “UK is an important country for the development and application of medical devices. Furthermore, it has traditionally been seen as a European beachhead for global companies to launch into Europe. The aim of this acquisition is to strengthen these connections and make them usable for all our international clients.”

Mr Branagan-Harris said: “Device Access and the IGES Group unite extensive knowledge of approval, market launch and reimbursement of medical devices, and their cultures fit outstandingly. The deal strengthens our respective market positions and build the potential for our growth in the European markets.”

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Cross Border Deals Soar in the North West

Posted on February 21, 2019 By in Cross-Border M&A + US M&A + UK M&A

Cross border deals involving North West companies have doubled over the past year according to research conducted by Deloitte in partnership with Experian Corpfin.

The volume of deals increased from the 59 in 2017 to 120 in 2018, with value up 450% from £1.2bn spent in 2017 to £6.6bn in 2018.

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With the Brexit Clock Ticking, How is the M&A Market Faring?

Posted on February 19, 2019 By in Brexit + UK M&A

With just under 40 days until Britain is set to leave the EU, doom and gloom is forecast as a potential no deal Brexit looms.

But, when it comes to M&A activity, this is not necessarily the case, as the political environment is doing little to dampen enthusiasm for M&A.

The following are why the UK M&A market is exceeding expectations:

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Tags: Brexit, UK M&A

Benchmark International has Successfully Facilitated the Transaction Between Elite Facades Ltd and Acuity Management Ltd

Posted on January 25, 2019 By in Deal completions + UK M&A + Dealmaking

Benchmark International has advised on the transaction between roofing, cladding and façade company, Elite Facades, and private equity company, Acuity Management.

Elite Facades specialises in all aspects of flat roofing, built-up composite and twin skin cladding systems for clients including BAM and Bouygues.

The company is to operate as part of the larger Elite Facades Holdings, a newly-formed subsidiary of Gibraltar-headquartered Acuity, an alternative private equity fund that acquires equity ownership in SMEs via intelligent buyouts, where the acquired entity retains its independence.

Ready to explore your exit and growth options?

 

Under the terms of the deal, Patrick Feeney will remain as a director and shareholder of Elite Facades Holdings.

He said: "Elite Facades is very pleased to be part of the larger Elite Facades Holdings. The transaction will provide the business with greater stability and further access to additional investment, while helping to support the pace of rapid growth we are pursuing."

Benchmark International would like to thank all parties involved and we wish them all the very best of luck for the future.

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Benchmark International has Advised on the Sale of Space Age Building Products Limited to GJB Developments PLC

Posted on January 24, 2019 By in Deal completions + UK M&A + Dealmaking

Benchmark International is pleased to announce the transaction between Reading-based Space Age Building Products (Space Age) and GJB Developments (T/A GJB Window Systems), based in Essex.

Ready to explore your exit and growth options?

Space Age is a wholesaler supplying plastic building products to trade and retail customers. The company supplies UPVC plastic fascia, guttering, windows, conservatories and associated plastic products. It additionally has a distribution network offering next day delivery to clients based in Berkshire, North Hampshire, South Oxford and Buckinghamshire.

GJB Window Systems has been fabricating and supplying market-leading window and door systems for over 25 years from its on-site factory in Essex.

The acquisition has allowed GJB to extend its geographical presence by opening a trade counter in Reading.

On behalf of everyone at Benchmark International, we would like to wish both parties every success for the future.

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Benchmark International has Successfully Facilitated the Transaction Between Dial-A-Loo Limited and Universal Tanker Solutions Limited

Benchmark International is pleased to announce the transaction between two water and waste water logistics firms – Dial-A-Loo and Universal Tanker Solutions.

Based in Tyne & Wear, Dial-A-Loo has been operating for almost 30 years as a supplier of commercial and domestic water and wastewater logistics, alongside portable toilet hire, to clients across the North East that operate in the construction and shipbuilding sectors.

 

Ready to explore your exit and growth options?

 

Offering similar services to Dial-A-Loo, Universal Tanker Solutions provides a waste water removal and non-potable water delivery service to domestic, commercial and industrial clients.

The combined entity will allow Universal Tanker Solutions to increase its geographical coverage, as well as its tanker fleet.

Benchmark International would like to thank all parties involved and we wish them all the very best of luck for the future.

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Positive Year Ahead Anticipated for UK M&A

Posted on January 18, 2019 By in Brexit + UK M&A + Dealmaking + 2019

The UK is expected to be one of the most popular locations for deal activity in 2019, mirroring a successful year in 2018.

Megadeals boosted the value of transactions in 2018 as, while the volume of UK deals only rose slightly, deals such as Japanese-based Takeda Pharmaceutical’s acquisition of UK-based Shire for £62bn saw a 4% increase in transaction value from £291bn the year before.

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Benchmark International has Successfully Facilitated the Transaction Between Pellings and RSK Group

Benchmark International has successfully advised on a deal between the group of Pellings companies (Pellings LLP, J & A Pellings and Pelling Limited) and RSK Group Limited, which marks RSK’s ninth acquisition in as many months as well as its largest acquisition to date.

Pellings, a group of companies which provide a complete spectrum of architectural services, building surveying, project management and related professional services for housing, education and healthcare projects, have 125 staff and four offices covering North, West, South and Central London.

RSK is an integrated environmental, engineering and technical services consultancy, which has 36 international offices, more than 2,700 employees and an annual turnover of £200m. It is currently actively investing in Europe, the Middle East, India, Africa and former Soviet Union countries, and has an active client base of 7,000 organisations spread across these regions.

 

Ready to explore your exit and growth options?

 

The group of Pellings companies have significant synergies with RSK and the joint venture will expand their services to a wider range of sectors in a greater geographical area.

Post-acquisition, Pellings will become part of RSK’s geosciences and engineering division. The companies' current leadership team, including its managing director Richard Claxton, will join RSK and continue to drive the business forward.

RSK’s founder and chief executive officer, Dr Alan Ryder, said: “We are delighted to announce our partnership with the company [Pellings], a growing business that will enhance RSK’s service offering to its clients.”

On behalf of everyone at Benchmark International, we would like to wish both parties every success for the future.

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Benchmark International has Successfully Facilitated the Transaction Between NRG Automation Ltd and Indutrade AB

Benchmark International has advised on the transaction between NRG, a supplier of motors and controls for gates and barriers, to Indutrade.

NRG is a specialist supplier of drives, motors and controls for industrial, commercial and residential doors and shutters, also offering a range of gate and barrier automation. Customers are manufacturers and installation contractors of doors, shutters and gates in the UK and Ireland.

Indutrade’s portfolio company, Ellard Ltd, has high synergies with NRG, as it is a specialist manufacturer and distributor of drives and controls for industrial, commercial, and residential doors and shutters. As such, there is a crossover of products/customers leading to opportunities to cross sell.

 

Ready to explore your exit and growth options?

 

Post-acquisition, a new management group has been formed from both companies, ensuring Ellard and NRG can fully capitalise on the many opportunities the venture creates.

James Robinson, Transaction Leader on the deal, commented: “It has been a pleasure to work with Paul and Andy over the months and we are delighted that the sale has gone through to the most suitable acquirer and right home for the business. We wish Paul, Andy and the new owners the very best for the future.”

On behalf of everyone at Benchmark International, we would like to wish both parties every success for the future.

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Benchmark International has Successfully Facilitated the Acquisition of Mainplace Limited to Aquatronic Group Management PLC

Benchmark International is delighted to announce the sale of Southampton-based electromechanical engineer Mainplace, to Aquatronic Group Management (AGM).

Mainplace specialises in the distribution, installation and servicing of pumping equipment for a variety of clients operating in the commercial, industrial and retail sectors.

Do you have an exit or growth strategy in place?

AGM, a group of electromechanical engineering companies, comprises Aquatech Pressmain, Acorn, A & R Engineering, ESIS, PSI Inspection services, O.S. Locke, Renzland Powergates and Warmac. Together, the group of companies manufacture and maintain water booster and pressurisation equipment.

The acquisition enables AGM to improve its coverage in the South of England and expand into the South West. As well, AGM has scope to grow the business, fitting with its current strategy.

On behalf of everyone at Benchmark International, we would like to wish both parties every success for the future.

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What You Should Know About the 2018 Budget’s Effect on M&A

Posted on October 31, 2018 By in Entrepreneur + SME + UK M&A + 2018 Budget + Chancellor

Chancellor Philip Hammond this week announced the 2018 Budget, the last one before the UK leaves the EU. As negotiations continue over a Brexit deal, uncertainty surrounds the UK economy but Hammond appeared confident that a good deal will be secured and that austerity is coming to an end.

In the context of business, the Budget was largely positive – for example, rates for small businesses are to be cut, there will be a temporary increase in the annual investment allowance from £200,000 to £1m, and start-up loan funding is to be extended to 2021. As well, new enterprise allowance is to be extended for benefits claimants to help get their businesses off the ground.

Negatively affected by the budget are tech giants such as Google and Facebook with the announced introduction of a Digital Service Tax but, overall, the Budget is promising for SMEs and start-ups

But is the Budget equally pleasing for M&A?

Entrepreneurs’ Relief

Entrepreneurs benefit from a reduced tax rate of 10 per cent, compared to the normal rate of 20 per cent, when selling shares in a personal company, which helps the business owner to make substantial savings. There was speculation whether this relief would be abolished with the Budget and the good news for entrepreneurs is that they can still benefit from the reduced tax rate but, from 2019, entrepreneurs must own a business for two years before selling in order to qualify for the relief, which is up from one year previously.

This is to prevent an abuse of the rules and is unlikely to affect genuine entrepreneurs, with the chancellor stating they are the “heart of our dynamic economy”.

Targeted Relief for the Cost of Acquiring IP-Rich Businesses

From April 2019, the government is looking to introduce targeted relief for the cost of goodwill in the acquisition of businesses. From November 2018, the government will also reform the de-grouping charge rules, which apply when a group sells a company that owns intangibles, so that they more closely align with the equivalent rules elsewhere in the tax code.

As can be seen, the Budget is largely positive in terms of tax relief concerning the buying and selling of businesses – while the rules have become stricter in terms of entrepreneurs’ relief, this is much more preferable to the alternative of abolishing it.

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Benchmark International has Successfully Facilitated the Sale of Insitas Research Limited to HPS Group Limited

Posted on October 17, 2018 By in UK M&A

Benchmark International is delighted to announce the sale of Maidenhead-based market research company, Insitas, to marketing firm HPS, based in Marlow.

Insitas is an independent market research consultant, providing strategic business insights to a client base of blue chip, multi-national commercial organisations in the UK. It utilises quantitative and qualitative research methods, including surveys, focus groups and interviews to identify potential solutions to problems centred around the areas of brand development, brand strategy and consumer behaviour.

HPS consists of specialist teams adept at data interrogation; consumer research; creative content; brand partnerships and PR; in-store promotion; and video and animation. It offers end-to-end marketing solutions, using insight and other skill sets to bring brands closer to customers.

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Tags: UK M&A

Benchmark International Has Successfully Facilitated the Sale Between West Sands Advisory Limited and Sibylline Limited

Benchmark International is delighted to announce the sale of West Sands Advisory to Sibylline.

Established in 2006, West Sands Advisory is a strategic intelligence and advisory firm that helps clients confidently navigate complex markets and commercial situations. It is a leading supplier of market entry, expansion and risk mitigation services with a particular focus on understanding and communicating the connection between politics, crime and business in emerging markets.

The company is an ideal partner to Sibylline, as a strategic risk and threat advisory firm that supports businesses, governments and NGOs through high quality risk and due diligence services. West Sands Advisory, therefore, adds significant expertise to Sibylline’s operations, as well as helps to increase its core geopolitical insight through its expanded and highly connected global network.

 

Ready to explore your exit and growth options?

West Sands Advisory’s former CEO, Tamara Makarenko, has become Head of Investigations at Sibylline, whilst West Sands Advisory’s employees have been integrated into Sibylline’s seven existing teams.

Benchmark International would like to thank all parties involved and we wish them all the very best of luck for the future.

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Benchmark International Completes the Sale of Imscan Systems Limited to Charles Street Solutions Limited

Posted on September 27, 2018 By in UK Deals + UK M&A

Benchmark International is pleased to announce the sale of Imscan Systems to Charles Street Solutions.

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Tags: UK Deals, UK M&A

Benchmark International Has Successfully Facilitated the Transaction Between Imscan Document Services Limited and First Solutions Services Limited

Posted on September 27, 2018 By in UK Deal Making + UK M&A

Benchmark International is delighted to announce the sale of Imscan Document Services to First Solutions Services. The acquisition represents the second deal that Benchmark International has facilitated for the target.

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Benchmark International Advises on the Sale of Profab Access Limited to ERA Home Security Limited

Posted on August 8, 2018 By in UK Deals + UK M&A

Benchmark International is delighted to announce the sale of Warwickshire based manufacturer of riser doors, steel doors and access panels, Profab, to home security specialist, ERA.

Established in 2000, Profab provides to a B2B client base worldwide, with its products featuring in a number of prestigious buildings.

ERA, a division of Tyman Plc, is a specialist in the design and manufacture of window/door hardware and home security alarm systems. In 2017, Bilco UK Ltd, a provider of standard and bespoke roof access hatches, floor doors, ladders and smoke vents, and Howe Green Limited, a manufacturer of fabricated floor access covers, linear drainage, tree pit covers and bespoke metalwork, became a part of ERA, following the acquisition of Howe Green.

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Tags: UK Deals, UK M&A

Benchmark International Advises on the Sale of VCUK Services Ltd & VCUK Ltd to Communicate Better Limited

Posted on July 27, 2018 By in UK Deals + UK M&A

Benchmark International is delighted to announce the sale of South Wales based VCUK Services and VCUK (trading as Vision Communications) to technology provider, Communicate Better.

The acquisition of telecommunications company, Vision Communications, will enhance its product portfolio of telephony, IT, and vehicle telematics, whilst it retains its brand, management and staff.

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Tags: UK Deals, UK M&A

Benchmark International has Successfully Facilitated the Sale of Taylor Partnership (Immigration) Limited to Newland Chase Limited

Posted on July 9, 2018 By in UK Deals + UK M&A

Benchmark International is pleased to announce the sale of Taylor Partnership to Newland Chase.

Taylor Partnership is an immigration law firm specialising in a niche market, preparing and submitting visa applications for students worldwide and managing Tier 4 licences awarded by the Home Office for prestigious, independent boarding schools in the UK that need to maintain compliancy in order to retain the licence.

Newland Chase, a wholly owned subsidiary of CIBT, is a global immigration company providing specialist immigration services worldwide. The group of companies provide best-in-class visa and work permit services for expats and businesses, from large multinational corporations to small and medium-sized companies and start-ups, in more than 180 countries around the world.

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Tags: UK Deals, UK M&A

Benchmark International has Successfully Facilitated the Sale of ECA Services Ltd to E&M Computing Ltd

Posted on June 8, 2018 By in UK Deals + UK M&A

Benchmark International is delighted to announce the sale of system integrator ECA to Israeli based IT infrastructure specialist, E&M Computing, trading as EMET.

Based in Reading, ECA has a presence throughout the UK and Ireland as an IoT and embedded industrial computer systems integrator providing core technology from world leading IT manufacturers, Advantech and DellEMC. Technology is utilised to create solutions for ticketing systems on buses and railways which has included work on the London Underground payment system, NHS Trust critical care patient record systems and BT's billing system.

Founded in 1984, EMET specialises in data centre, cloud, and information technology. The company has offices in Ramat-Gan, Rosh Ha'ayin, Petach-Tikva, Haifa and Ashdod with worldwide distribution hubs and a workforce of 850.

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Tags: UK Deals, UK M&A

Benchmark International has Closed Eight Transactions in Just Eight Days

Benchmark International is delighted to announce the closing of eight deals in just eight days – a record amount closed for the company in such a short space of time.

The clients were from a diverse range of sectors, including those in building and construction, document management, manufacturing, ambulance services, IT, and the distribution of medical products. Benchmark International has capitalised on confidence returning to the market by executing this number of deals in as many days, conducting transactions with private investors, private equity firms and trade buyers, both domestically and internationally, with locations spanning Dublin, Israel and the USA.

Furthering this success, Benchmark International is looking to build on this momentum in June and July as its pipeline is stronger than ever.

Benchmark International’s ability to close this number of deals in a short period of time and its ability to continue to do so is evidence of the company’s excellence in successfully navigating the roads of a middle-market deal and achieving results that gratify the buyers and sellers.

Choosing the right intermediary is a critical decision in reaching maximum value for an exit and growth strategy. Benchmark International has a team of M&A experts and an established network to find quality buyers to make deals happen. Time and time again, clients are delighted by Benchmark International’s ability to bring them a deal that exceeds expectations.

 

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Benchmark International Has Successfully Facilitated the Sale of CSM Storage & Archives Limited to OASIS Group

Posted on May 23, 2018 By in UK Deals + UK M&A

Benchmark International is pleased to announce the sale of CSM to OASIS.

CSM is a provider of storage for confidential archive material, confidential data and document destruction services. The company also provides services such as file and box retrieval, unit/furniture storage and an ISO accredited document scanning and digitalisation service. Operating around Central London from a freehold premises, the company is ideally placed to serve hospitals, legal firms and architects.

Operating in the records and information management (RIM) industry, OASIS stores information securely, controlling costs, staying ahead of regulatory requirements and creating value from clients' stored information. Services include records management and document storage, scanning and digital access solutions, data protection services and media vault, shredding and destruction, business continuity and GDPR solutions, and industry solutions. A company operating in Western Europe, OASIS has more than 30 locations across five countries: Great Britain, Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland, Netherlands, and Belgium.

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Tags: UK Deals, UK M&A

New GDPR Regulations in Europe: What Does This Mean for M&A?

On the 25th May 2018, a new data protection regulation (the General Data Protection Regulation or GDPR) replaces the Data Protection Directive with the aim of protecting the personal data and privacy of EU citizens. It must be adhered to by all companies conducting business in the EU, regardless of the location in which they operate.

So, in the context of M&A activity, how will this affect you? One of the changes places a heavier emphasis on the privacy of a company’s customers; therefore, companies will be scrutinised on how they collect, store, use and transfer personal data. The knock-on effect this then has is that during a transaction, an acquirer will carry out even more comprehensive checks on the target, examining internal data protection systems and processes and undertaking checks on contracts with suppliers and subcontractors, which must comply with the new regulation.

This is in an acquirer’s best interest, as they inherit any existing data protection liabilities from the seller post-sale and the penalties for a breach are steep, attracting a maximum fine of either €20m, or 4% of global turnover, depending on whichever figure is highest.

It also will have an effect on the communicating of personal data during the due diligence process between an acquirer and seller. Personal data can now only be disclosed if the acquirer can show a legitimate interest. While in the M&A process, an acquirer can prove that they do have a legitimate interest in the data this is unlikely to extend to every individual involved in the business, instead just encompassing members of the organisation such a managers. Care then has to still be taken to not personally identify any individual outside of this remit, so a seller must make sure they are cautious not to identify individual customers or employees and suitably anonymise this data.

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Benchmark International has Successfully Facilitated the Sale of Day 2 Interiors Limited to Lynx Equity Limited

Posted on May 18, 2018 By in UK Deals + UK M&A

Benchmark International is pleased to announce the successful acquisition of Day 2 to Lynx.

Day 2 is an award-winning office furniture dealership and commercial furnishing scheme consultant acting as a subcontractor to architectural firms, as well as directly for private, public, and commercial clients. The company operates UK-wide although it has an international presence, conducting business in Europe and via a secondary premises in Qatar.

Lynx is a Canadian-based manager of private equity funds. The company seeks to invest in mid-market companies ($750k-$2.5M EBITDA) with the goal of building value through opportunistic acquisitions, strategic leadership and the timely use of financial expertise. Lynx finances its capital requirements through the issuance of high-yield debentures to qualified investors who enter into loan agreements with Lynx for periods of one to five years.

Commenting on the acquisition, Jim Meier, founder and Managing Director of Day 2 said: “I have been evaluating several options for the next chapter in the Day 2 story, and the Lynx team and company ethos have stood head and shoulders above the others.

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Tags: UK Deals, UK M&A

Benchmark International has Successfully Facilitated the Sale of Secure Care UK Limited to BrightStar Capital (London) Ltd

Posted on May 15, 2018 By in UK Deals + UK M&A

Benchmark International is delighted to announce the sale of Secure Care to BrightStar Capital.

Secure Care, established since 2013, is an ambulance service provider for forensic and acute mental health patients providing a 24/7, 365 day service for the movement and care of people with mental health conditions, learning disabilities and dementia. Based in Sussex, the company is located across different sites throughout the UK including London, Leeds, and Birmingham with services provided to a range of clients including private hospitals, prisons, police custody suites and NHS trusts.

BrightStar Capital acquires or invests in stable, profitable businesses with untapped growth potential. The company works with shareholders that are looking to fully or partially exit and takes an active role in helping an existing or new management team grow the business. Typically, the company looks at businesses that have a turnover of £1m-£10m and a £250k-£1.5m EBITDA, operating in sectors such as manufacturing and distribution, media, services, health and wellness, leisure, and consumer and retail.

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Tags: UK Deals, UK M&A

Benchmark International Advises on the Sale of McPhee Bros (Blantyre) Limited to Elaghmore Partners LLP

Posted on May 14, 2018 By in UK Deals + UK M&A

Benchmark International has successfully facilitated the transaction between McPhee Bros (Blantyre) (trading as McPhee Mixers) to Elaghmore for an undisclosed multi-million pound sum.

McPhee Mixers was established in 1971 and has developed since then to manufacture and supply its own brand of truck mounted concrete mixers for the construction and quarrying industry, as well as provide a servicing and repair facility.

The company provides its large multinational customer base with a unique product range, tailored to their requirements and, as a result, has been recognised as an industry innovator with a range of patents covering its products.

The company has a robust infrastructure, with a 70 strong team and premises in two locations, comprising a manufacturing plant in Blantyre and a service and repair centre in Chesterfield. As no other UK concrete mixer manufacturer has more than one location, this uniquely places the company in servicing its high profile customer base throughout the UK.

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Tags: UK Deals, UK M&A

Benchmark International Advises on the Sale of Intuition Communication Limited to LaingBuisson Limited

Posted on May 10, 2018 By in UK Deals + UK M&A

Benchmark International is delighted to announce the sale of Intuition to LaingBuisson.

Established in 2003, Intuition is a specialist in the provision of media, intelligence and solutions for the delivery of consumer and B2B information on the private healthcare sector in the UK and for international travel. The company helps global healthcare providers all over the globe attract more clients through its range of consumer websites, which patients can use to make informed decisions regarding their choice of healthcare professional, hospital or clinic.

LaingBuisson, operating in a complementary sector and providing an excellent strategic fit for Intuition, is a leading provider of market intelligence, consulting and data solutions for the health and social care markets in the UK and the chosen provider of independent sector healthcare market data to the UK’s Office for National Statistics.

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Tags: UK Deals, UK M&A

Why 2018 is the Year to Conduct an M&A Deal

Posted on May 8, 2018 By in UK M&A

A business confidence survey conducted by accountancy firm EY has shown that nearly two thirds of UK companies are planning M&A deals over the next 12 months, which is the highest level since 2010.

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Tags: UK M&A

Benchmark International Advises on the Sale of DW Reporting Ltd to BigHand Limited

Posted on April 9, 2018 By in UK Deals + UK M&A

Benchmark International is delighted to announce that it has successfully facilitated the transaction between DW Reporting and BigHand.

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Tags: UK Deals, UK M&A

Benchmark International has Advised on the Sale of Cumberland Platforms Limited to GELEV Group

Posted on March 16, 2018 By in UK Deals + UK M&A

Benchmark International is delighted to announce the sale of Cumberland Platforms Limited (CPL) to GELEV Group, trading as KLUBB.

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Tags: UK Deals, UK M&A

Benchmark International Advises on the Deal Between SigmaRoc and Topcrete Limited

 

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RPC Group's Profits Soar Following Acquisitions

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.

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Fox approaches its first hurdle in its bid to take over Sky

The announcement in December of last year that Rupert Murdoch’s 21st Century Fox was positioned for a full takeover of Sky was hardly one of the most popular deal announcements of 2016, and most certainly the least surprising. The £11.7bn bid has proved to be a contentious one, and Murdoch and co. have now reached one of their first major hurdles in the deal process in the form of competition authorities.

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Is M&A The Recipe For Bringing The Bite Back To Biscuits?

The UK biscuit industry is crumbling; slowing sales, intense competition and an increase in the price of sugar and wheat have hit the sector hard. Not to mention the pressure from the vast range of new and healthier products that are available. As a result, the UK sweet biscuit market, valued at £1.9bn, is experiencing a flurry of deal making.

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Tesco and Booker merger reignites Marmite war

They say that you either love it or hate it, but Marmite has been at the centre of a dispute between one of the UK’s largest supermarket chains and the suppliers of the distinctly British condiment. The feud escalated last year after Tesco refused to agree to Unilever’s price increases, however the dispute was resolved in October and Marmite was back on supermarket shelves. But now, the supermarket giant’s £3.9bn takeover of wholesaler Booker is expected to reignite Tesco’s feud with Unilever as critics argue the deal will create an incredibly dominant player in the sector.

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Benchmark International Advises on the Sale of Malcolm Hughes Land Surveyors to the Ogilvie Group

Benchmark International is pleased to announce the sale of Malcolm Hughes Land Surveyors to the Ogilvie Geomatics, a part of the Ogilvie Group.

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It was October Dealfest at Benchmark International!

October was a fantastic month for Benchmark International and we are proud to announce that our teams in the UK and US have completed deals with an overall, combined transaction value of $160,000,000.

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