Mergers and Acquisitions in June 2019
The most notable deal was involving overseas Japanese acquirer Mitsubishi UFJ Trust & Banking Corporation through the acquisition of First State Investments UK Holdings Ltd with an impressive deal value of over £2.2 billion. As part of Australia’s largest bank, First State Investments is also known as Colonial First State Global Asset Management (CFSGAM) outside of Australia. MUTB president and CEO, Mikio Ikegaya commented, “We expect CFSGAM will continue to deliver leading investment solutions to its existing global client base. We also believe that CFSGAM’s highly seasoned investment teams and competitive product line-ups will enable us to deliver new investment opportunities to our clients”.
Other successful acquisitions amongst the highest valuations include: Legal & General Group plc’s mature savings business by ReAssure Ltd; Life Fitness (UK) Ltd by KPS Capital Partners LP; P&O Ferrymasters Ltd by DP World Ltd; Akazoo Ltd by Unlimited Music SA, and; Weir Group plc’s flow control division by First Reserve Corporation LLC.
Interflora British Unit was acquired by Teleflora LLC in a deal value worth over £47 million. Jeff Bennett, president of Teleflora said, “We’ve been very impressed by the strength of Interflora’s brand in the UK, their management team, and their network of high-quality florists. We have complementary businesses, as Interflora prioritises their retail florists, and we’ve long held a strategy of putting our retail florists first”.
M&A activity within the information technology sector was high with a number of deals becoming effective: Redland Business Solutions Ltd, a company that provides computer consultancy activities, was acquired by Ideagen plc in a deal value of over £16 million; Hub Network Services Ltd was acquired by SysGroup plc; Flamethrower plc was acquired by Mr Conrad Windham.
Greenbrook Healthcare (Hounslow) Ltd which is a primary care organisation, was successfully acquired by Totally plc in a deal value worth over £11 million. Assured Healthcare (Scotland) Ltd was acquired by Prism UK Medical UK.
Overall, a range of sectors were involved in June’s deal activity, including the completion of significant high-value deals. UK companies continue to attract acquirers from both UK and overseas, with trade buyers and private equity investors making acquisitions.
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