Mergers and Acquisitions in July 2019
With a total number of 135 acquisitions, Zephyr highlights a 36% increase in deal activity in July than compared to the previous month. Additionally, 21 of these transactions involved an overseas acquiror.
Other successful acquisitions include: First State Investments UK Holdings Ltd by Mitsubishi UFJ Trust and Banking Corporation; Chambertin (Holdings) Ltd by Partners Group AG; Premier Technical Services Group plc by Bernard Bidco Ltd; ABN AMRO (Channel Islands) Ltd by Butterfield Bank (Guernsey) Ltd and; CATS College Holdings Ltd by Bright Scholar Education Holdings Ltd.
Thoughtonomy Ltd, a business and domestic software development company was acquired by Blue Prism Group plc in an impressive deal value of £80 million. Additionally, Track Access Services Ltd was acquired by Pennant International Group plc.
City Pantry Ltd, the office catering marketplace that presents the opportunity to order in food for staff, company events and meetings was acquired by takeout marketplace, delivery giant and the well-known Just Eat plc, in a deal value of £16 million. Peter Duffy, interim CEO of Just Eat, comments, “City Pantry has a well-established business, fantastic expertise and an entrepreneurial spirit that matches our own. We look forward to bringing the company into he Just Eat family and working with them to grow in the UK and internationally in the exciting and dynamic market”.
An increase in M&A activity within the legal sector has also been noticed with deals including: Thomas Cooper LLP, a group engaged in the provision of legal services, was acquired by Penningtons Manches LLP; McKinty and Wright Solicitors was acquired by DAC Beachcroft LLP and; Calum I Duncan Corporate Lawyers Ltd was acquired by Wright Johnston & Mackenzie LLP.
July has also been an active month for private equity buyer with deals including SSE Telecommunications Ltd with M&G Investment Management Ltd, Scottish Equity Partners with Pensions Infrastructure Platform Ltd, and Total Resources (UK) Ltd with Mercia Fund Management Ltd.
In conclusion, a variety of industries were involved in July’s deal activity including noteworthy high-value deals. Companies in the UK continuously attract acquirers from both the UK and overseas, with publica and private trade buyers and private equity investors particularly active. Consequently, this increase in the UK market has led to a rise in the volume of acquisitions this month.
Our team are highly experienced in company valuations and M&A and can assist you in realising the value of your company. Whether you are considering exit strategy options or exploring another avenue, you can call our team in confidence on 0203 441 2003. Alternatively, you can use our free, online valuation calculator to determine the value of your company.
The highest transaction involved the acquisition of RPC Group plc by Berry Global International Holdings Ltd with a deal value approximately over £3.4 billion. This acquisition creates a leading global supplier of value-added protective solutions and one of the world’s largest plastic packaging companies. Tom Salmon, Chairman and CEO of Berry Global International Holdings, commented, “The acquisition of RPC will give us the opportunity to leverage our combined know-how in the innovative material science, product development, and manufacturing technologies to create significant value for our shareholders. Through this shared approach, we anticipate approximately $150 million in annual synergies”.