Browne Jacobson’s Manchester transaction services team advise on the sale of T.Freemantle Limited to Lifco AB

Browne Jacobson’s Manchester transaction services team has successfully advised on the sale of T.Freemantle Limited to Lifco AB for an undisclosed consideration.

Founded in 1996, Scunthorpe based T.Freemantle Limited is a global supplier of cartoning and sleeving machinery solutions, predominately for the food and beverage sector. Clients include, amongst others, Nestle, Greggs, Quorn, Pork Farms, McVitie's, Kingsland Drinks, The London Beer Factory and Thornbridge Brewery.

Lifco AB is a Swedish conglomerate investing in small and medium sized market-leading niche companies operating in the Dental, Demolition & Tools and System Solutions sectors. The Group currently has more than 160 operating companies across 30 countries.

The deal will see current Sales Director Richard Kitchen appointed to the role of Managing Director with Tony Freemantle, Founder & Director of T. Freemantle Limited, retiring from the business.

Tony Freemantle said: “I am delighted with the acquisition of T. Freemantle Limited by Lifco and feel that Lifco will be the perfect custodian for the company. The deal delivers excellent value for the shareholders but also importantly a stable and secure future for our valued employees and long standing clients.”

The Browne Jacobson corporate team comprised partner Peter Allen, senior associate Ryan Brown and associate Bethany Pickup, assisted by employment partner Ian Deakin, real estate associate Michael Parkinson and tax associate Christian Burchardt.

Richard Kitchen commented: “The team at Browne Jacobson delivered our business sale transaction on time against an extremely tight timeframe. The whole team at Browne Jacobson provided a structured, informative and supportive approach despite the grip of the Covid pandemic.”

Sven Madsen, the CFO of Consolidated Holdings A/S which was a selling shareholder in T.Freemantle Limited said: “It has been a pleasure to work with the Browne Jacobson team. You managed to get the required information out of the shareholders in a structured and well-coordinated manner, maintaining high speed at the same time. It is not an easy task in transactions of this nature.”

Manchester corporate partner Peter Allen added: “We were delighted to help Tony, Richard and their investors in realising the rewards of their hard work over the years in building such an excellent UK business. To deliver this deal in such a challenging timeframe over the holiday period is testament to everyone who worked on it, including Camlee, Lifco and our clients. We wish Richard and all the T Freemantle team the best for the future of the business with Lifco as its new and supportive owner.”