Bunzl makes the Marca

Livingstone Madrid has completed the successful sale of Marca Protección Laboral, S.L., one of Spain’s leading distributors of protective clothing and equipment, to Bunzl plc, the FTSE 100 group specialising in outsourcing solutions and value added distribution.

Cartagena-based Marca supplies industrial clients across Spain with all its needs in the protective clothing area, offering a comprehensive choice of products within 24 hours of order.

The acquisition of Marca is part of Bunzl’s strategy to develop a broad-based distribution business in Spain along the line of its model elsewhere in the world. The first step in this process was the purchase in early 2007 of Tarragona-based Iberlim, a leader in the distribution of cleaning products to the hotel, restaurant and food service industries.

Marca owner Leandro Martin commented: “I am delighted to have sold my family’s business to Bunzl….Bunzl offers Marca the opportunity to continue its expansion across Spain while also being able to access new international suppliers, as well as Bunzl multi-national customers operating in our country. I look forward to working with the Bunzl team as it expands its presence here in Spain and help it achieve its ambitious growth forecast”

He added: “The sale of our business would not have been achieved without the assistance of Livingstone, who have acted as my guide throughout the process. Livingstone introduced me to Bunzl and has been with me through every stage of the transaction”.

Steven Lewis, Partner at Livingstone Madrid said: “The sale of Marca marks the second transaction that Livingstone has been involved in with Bunzl in Spain, having already sold Iberlim in 2007. Bunzl has acquired an excellent company in Marca and the experience of Marca’s management team will allow Bunzl to grow and contribute to the enlarged group’s ongoing success”.