30 DEALMAKERS
RAISING A GLASS TO GLOBAL EXPANSION
The hospitality and brewing sectors may be going through challenging times with predictions of the £7 pint as the cost of some supplies reported to have risen 3,000 per cent in a year.
However, there has been some good cheer in Lancashire after a deal that brings together two specialist companies and opens up global opportunities.
Porter Lancastrian, founded in 1936, produces draught beer fonts, tap handles and lenses and allows customers to add their own artwork. It has become one of the leading companies of its kind in the UK.
Based in Chorley, it operates its own manufacturing facility with in-house design, engineering and sales functions, and employs a total workforce of 40.
It has been acquired by Micro Matic for an undisclosed sum in a deal announced in late October. In addition to strengthening its position in the important UK market, the acquisition makes it possible to sell Porter Lancastrian’s products outside the UK, through its new owner’s global sales network.
Micro Matic is ultimately owned by a global group based in Odense in Denmark. It also specialises in custom-designed draught beer fonts and believes the deal will strengthen its UK position.
Andrew Brown, managing director of Porter Lancastrian, will continue in his role of managing the day-to-day business of the company following the acquisition.
He says: “By becoming part of Micro Matic we can achieve positive synergies in our home market, and at the same time we get access to valuable knowledge and know-how, not least through Micro Matic’s global sales organisation.”
John O’Neill, managing director of Valpar Micro Matic, adds: “Porter Lancastrian is a proficient enterprise with a long history, competent employees and visionary management. We do not often find a company that complements our own business so well.”
Søren Vilby, chief executive of the Micro Matic group, explains its thinking behind the deal. He says: “The acquisition of Porter Lancastrian clearly indicates our high expectation of the UK market, Europe’s largest market for draught beer.
“Acquiring Porter Lancastrian will allow us to form close relationships with our UK customers and together we will strengthen our UK market position”.
Beever and Struthers’ corporate finance director Dean Curis led the team from the accountancy practice advising on the share sale.
He says: “The transaction highlights the continued interest from international businesses looking to enter or strengthen their position in the UK market.
“I am confident that the company will be able to achieve the next stages of its growth strategy, and further enhance its position as a high-quality North-West business operating in the UK and internationally.”
Fo besr
A DEDICATED APPROACH TO BUSINESS OBJECTIVES
forbessolicitors.co.uk 0333 207 1130 Offices in Lancashire, Manchester and Leeds.
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 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72
