News
LDC toasts record year for deals in the North West
9 Feb 2018
LDC, the leading mid-market private equity investor, is celebrating a record year in the North West following the completion of five investments, three exits, and its support of a portfolio acquisition in 2017.
To continue its support of North West businesses, LDC in Manchester injected more than £75m into five new investments in 2017 across a diverse range of sectors. This included backing the management buyouts of Hill Biscuits, scientific communications consultancy Fishawack, software specialist Eque2 and Lakelovers, a leading provider of luxury holiday cottages in the Lake District. The firm’s Manchester team also supported ChargePoint Technology, the manufacturer of specialist high containment and sterile transfer valves, with a multi-million-pound investment to support future growth.
Over the same period, the team delivered a number of successful exits including the sale of Mini-Cam, a leading manufacturer and distributor of pipeline inspection systems, to Halma plc in a deal that valued the business at up to £85m and the sale of The Creative Engagement Group to Huntsworth plc, an international healthcare and public relations communications group, in a deal valued at £25m. In addition, LDC completed the sale of Giacom, the fast-growing specialist cloud services marketplace, to Livingbridge, and simultaneously reinvested for a minority stake.
Looking ahead, Jonathan Bell, director and head of LDC in the North West, said the North West remained a key strategic region in LDC’s nationwide pledge to invest £1.2bn of equity over the next three years to support the UK’s small and mid-sized companies.
The bigger cities of Liverpool and Manchester grab a lot of the headlines, but we’re seeing outstanding businesses doing extraordinary things right across the region. Blackburn, Bolton, Warrington, Wigan, Southport, Stockport – there are dozens of hidden gem businesses making a huge contribution to the region’s prosperity."
Private equity can play an important role in helping to unlock potential and accelerate growth and we’re looking forward to continuing our support of businesses right across the region throughout 2018.”
The firm’s Manchester team also said the success of its portfolio in the region, which comprises 14 businesses employing more than 2,800 people and generating £335m in revenues, served as a barometer of the health and wellbeing of the North West economy and was testament to the resilience and ambition of the management teams it supports.
Companies backed by the King Street-based private equity investor include scientific communications specialist Fishawack, which recently announced its acquisition of the US-based Carling Group of Companies, Ellis Whittam, the fast-growing Chester-based business services firm which in 2017 announced a £1m expansion into Scotland, and Haydock-based ATG Access, the global leader in high security vehicle barrier systems, which has continued to announce a string of major new contracts across the UK and overseas.
The firm also continues to back some of the biggest brands across the north of England. This includes Seabrook Crisps, which with LDC’s support has embarked on an international expansion strategy that has led to new business wins in China, the Middle East and Europe.
Bell added: “The last few years have created some tough trading conditions for companies. Despite this, the performance of our portfolio shows just what can be achieved with the right management team, the right plan and the right funding partner.
“Each month, we see dozens more companies across the North West just like this, bucking the trend and looking for new opportunities. That makes us hugely optimistic about the growth prospects for the North West region.”
As part of its commitment to support businesses across the North West, LDC has continued to invest in its Manchester team and over the past 12 months announced the appointments of investment directors Guy Bagshaw and John Clarke, and investment executive Kelsey Bayley.