Consumer & Branded
Consumer and branded has been driven by globalisation: you can buy the same kind of TV, phone or car or visit the same branded coffee shop in China, the US or the EU. In holding these market positions, multinationals are driven by innovation and M&A activity, buying fast-growing companies with distinct and growing market positions.
Digitisation is becoming a key strategy for consumer businesses as they seek to engage with and influence consumers. If you have a product which fits into a global portfolio or enables businesses to widen their customer footprint, strong values are achievable.
Brand differentiates. Differentiation gives protection to margins and the opportunity to develop a loyal following which will pay so long as your values are aligned with theirs. Building a successful brand and securing robust routes to market puts you on the radar for M&A activity, where higher prices can be paid if the buyer is able to take your brand into new markets or broaden the offering. Understanding your ultimate buyer type may help you shape your business as it grows.
Recent Transactions
Sale of e-commerce specialist to US-based Malouf
Advised the shareholders of Plastico during their debt renegotiation with HSBC
Foresight provided development capital for intelligent fire suppression specialist, iMist
Refinancing of eGreen from HSBC to Arbuthnot Latham
Assisting Casa Cuervo on its purchase of Irish whiskey distillery, Bushmills, for $760m from Diageo
MBO of GTK, a semiconductor business, backed by Yorkshire Fund Managers
Vendor initiated MBO of high-technology cables manufacturer funded by Lloyds Bank Plc
Debt advisory for KIMS Hospital with Clydesdale bank providing senior debt and Magnetar Capital providing mezzanine for new-build hospital
Debt advisory and sale to management of leading retail packaging business
Growth capital provided for green building materials business by Octopus Ventures and Clydesdale Growth fund
New Zealand’s first take-private transaction, Pacific Retail Group, funded by Logan and GE
Series of bolt-on acquisition for Graphite PE, backed by Micheldever Tyre Services
Strategic advice on the restructuring of Powerhouse for New Zealand-listed Pacific Retail Group - this included the first use of a CVA to limit shareholder exposure to long leases
Sale of platform lift business, Gartec, to Sweden-based Aritco Lift AB
Renegotiation of debt facilities following acquisition
Assisted Mobeus in its investment into logistics business Anthony Ward Thomas, Bishops and Aussie Man in a Van
Sale of eDrive Engineering Services Limited to US tech buyer
Disposal of ingredients business to Maven-backed Atlantic Foods
Assisted in debt raising from Clydesdale Bank for leading Burger King franchiser
Advised management on its MBO of flow meter business, with funding from Natwest Bank
Corporate finance advice for this specialist VW camper vehicle business, an early adopter of online sales
Capital raising from Nigel Wray into this branded consumer products business
Advised Altitude Partners on its investment into this specialist manufacturing business
Accelerated disposal of South Coast steel construction business
Advised the shareholders of Parker on approaches from potential bidders - sold to Cairngorm Capital
Acquisition of Independent Components Limited - a flue systems manufacturer
Strategic advice to world-renowned classic Aston Martin specialist
Strategic valuation advice to shareholders
Advised on the disposal of Claydon Group Holdings to a private investors group
Debt advisory on working capital facility provided by Nucleus Commercial Finance, for green building materials business
Acquisition advice on purchase of Spanish Agromark and its UK distribution partner, Marshalls
Sale of British & Brazilian to AG Thames Holdings Limited
Acquisition of MMF Group Limited - a specialist chimney and flue supplier
Advised on Acquisition of Overtis Solutions, a security software and hardware business, out of Overtis Group
Advised founders on their exit to co-shareholders