Making it Stick

BHP Corporate Finance is pleased to announce that it has acted as lead advisor to the shareholders of The Water Mill Press Limited (Watermill) on the disposal of a majority equity stake  in the company to Nordvalls Etikett AB, a Swedish based subsidiary of the £4billion turnover Possehl Group’s.

This was a particularly notable transaction as it marks the first that BHP Corporate Finance has completed involving close collaboration with the Translink Global M&A network that the team joined late last year.

Co-founded in 1994 by Dale Deacon, Ian Sharp and Sandra Carr, and employing 25 members of staff, Bradford-based Watermill is a market leader in the development, production and use of logistical labelling, which is critical to the smooth operation of distribution centres and logistics networks.

Its consultative-led approach and high quality products have resulted in it becoming an integral part of its clients’ labelling and packaging strategies. Its customer base includes major blue chip companies  such as Marks and Spencer (including their supply chain), together with many of the world’s largest food and drink suppliers.

Dale Deacon will continue in his role as Managing Director, driving the business forward as part of a global group with the additional opportunities that this will give. Dale commented, “We are pleased and excited about Watermill joining the Nordvalls labelling group. Being part of a larger European group of labelling companies will enable us to offer a wider range of products and services to our blue-chip UK-based customers going forward. We are extremely grateful to BHP Corporate Finance and Translink for negotiating the transaction to such a successful conclusion.Their unwavering support and advice throughout was invaluable.”

Andy Haigh and Juel Chowdhury led the BHP Corporate Finance team which advised the shareholders of Watermill on the cross-border transaction. They were supported by Dennis Magath of Translink Germany and Amanda Waterhouse from BHP’s transaction tax team. Andy Haigh said, “We are delighted to have helped the shareholders find the right long-term home for the company. It is a great example of collaboration with our Translink partners and how this has strengthened our ability to originate and execute cross-border mergers and acquisitions. With Dale continuing as Managing Director, we see it as business as usual for Watermill as it continues to grow and add value to its customers.”

This is a very satisfying deal to have completed and BHP Corporate Finance has clearly labelled (!) its intentions for 2020 as it approaches the close of what is a record year for the team.