Adare Group Dares to Go Again in £119.5m Secondary MBO
March 2006
A team of seven directors have led a secondary buy-out of Adare Group, the UK’s leading print management, mailing and packaging solutions provider, in a deal funded by Bank of Scotland Corporate.
The buy-out will provide an exit for private equity investors, Allen McGuire & Co and JP Morgan, who acquired the business in 2000, and for founder and current CEO, Nelson Loane. The management team, led by Robert Whiteside have rolled over all of their equity, invested new cash, and will hold the majority of the equity in the new vehicle, with Bank of Scotland taking a minority stake.
Founded in 1991, Adare has established a leading position in the outsourced business solutions sector, serving various markets with a focus on print management, mailing and packaging solutions. Adare operates many of the UK’s largest print management contracts and is leading the market with its Packaging Solutions business. Adare’s key markets are financial services, retail and the public sector (both central government and local authorities). The Group also owns an extensive network of franchised businesses through the high street superbrands, Kall Kwik and Prontaprint, the two clear market leaders in On Demand Communications.
Adare employs in excess of 1,200 employees, across 17 locations in the UK and Ireland, including several ‘in client’ sites. The Group’s Head Office will be relocated from Dublin to its largest UK site near Leeds, West Yorkshire as part of the transaction.
Robert Whiteside, the new CEO of Adare, commented: “With the backing of Bank of Scotland, Adare can now move forward to the next phase of its development and unlock the significant untapped potential that lies within the Group.”
Ben Barker, Director of Integrated Finance of Bank of Scotland adds: “We have developed a very close relationship with Robert and the team over recent months. This transaction will provide operational control to Robert Whiteside and his management team and leaves Adare well-placed to embark on an exciting new era in its development.”
Livingstone partner, Patrick Groarke, introduced the deal to Bank of Scotland and advised them on the deal. Patrick concluded: “Adare represents a fantastic platform outsourced business solution group with some outstanding brands and we are delighted to have facilitated the deal for both Bank of Scotland and management.”
For further information contact:
Patrick Groarke
T: +44 020 7484 4707
Email: pgroarke@livingstonepartners.co.uk
