8-9-on-the-record 3.qxp 22/4/09 17:12 Page 9
APRIL - DEALS OF THE MONTH
Darbyshire Group gets hands SKYKON BLOWS
INTO SCOTLAND
on with TPT Construction
Skykon, which provides support
for wind technology producers,
has taken over a wind tower
plant in Campbeltown, Scotland,
Preston-based construction company Darbyshire
from Vestas Wind Systems, a
Group has agreed to acquire Welsh firm TPT
Darbyshire builds up its portfolio
Danish manufacturer of wind
Construction for £7 million.
turbines. The terms of the deal
Darbyshire Group is led by 19-year-old
were not disclosed.
entrepreneur Gareth Darbyshire, who intends
Skykon is also planning to
to build his portfolio of development and build a larger factory alongside
construction companies into a £50 million group. the existing facility. As part of
The company currently has a turnover of £8
the deal, more than 100 jobs will
million and employs 45 people.
be saved. The region will also
Swansea-based TPT specialises in providing
benefit from a further 200 local
construction services to local authorities and is
jobs once the new facilities have
been built.
currently involved in developing schools and
Jesper Øhlenschlæger, Skykon
hospital extensions across Wales.
CEO, commented: “In a short
Darbyshire says: “TPT currently operates
time span, Scotland has
mainly in the public sector, which ensures its
developed into the most positive
future prospects in these difficult times.”
and interesting market for wind
He also has plans to extend TPT’s operations power in Europe.
across the UK. “Over the past three decades, “Both the Scottish government
TPT has become a sector leader in Wales,” says
and local energy producers are
Darbyshire, “and we intend to capitalise on its
focused on wind power, and we
reputation and highly skilled workforce to
expect some 3,000 megawatts to
create a UK brand.”
be installed in Scotland over the
next four years. As a result, we
see Campbeltown as a unique
platform to realise our target
Pamplona bullish about brakes deal
of being the leading supplier to
this market.”
Pamplona Capital Management, a applications, out of administration. to be part of the long-term future
CHOCKS AWAY
London-headquartered private TMD Friction operates from of the group. TMD is a global
FOR BAE SYSTEMS
equity and hedge fund firm, has locations across Europe, the US, leader in the automotive sector
Aerospace giant BAE Systems has
bought TMD Friction, a Brazil, Mexico, China and Japan, and has good defensive qualities
acquired Advanced Ceramics
manufacturer of brake and generated a turnover of €639 given that a large part of the
Research, a US producer of
friction materials for million (£581.5 million) in 2008. business is focused on the
unmanned aircraft systems (UAS),
automotive and Martin Schwab, partner of replacement parts market, for £10.6 million in cash.
commercial Pamplona Capital Management, which is less affected
Advanced Ceramics Research
vehicle says: “TMD Friction is an right now by the current
employs 60 people and is based
exceptional business and we economic climate.
in Tucson, Arizona. The
are delighted “We are backing a great
acquisition supports BAE
Systems’ UAS strategy by
management team led by
expanding the company’s small
Derek Whitworth and are
and tactical UAS capability.
pleased to be able to maintain
BAE Systems reported
the independence of a technology
promising results in its latest
leader in its field,” Schwab adds.
statement, with sales up by 18
per cent to £18.5 billion, and an
order book that has increased by
20 per cent to £46.5 billion.
“TMD Friction is an
The acquisition is subject to
exceptional business”
regulatory clearances.
Mergers & Acquisitions 9
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60