The Birmingham office of Clearwater Corporate Finance
("Clearwater"), UK member of exclusive international mergers and
acquisitions organisation, IMAP, has advised Farsound Engineering
("Farsound"), on its sale to RG Industries LLP (RGI), a new
partnership between Rubicon Partners ("Rubicon") and Grovepoint
Capital ("Grovepoint").
Founded by the late Roger Gulperin in 1979, Farsound is a
leading manufacturer and supply chain manager of precision
components for the aerospace and defence industries. It has a
global, blue chip customer base and operates from state of the art
premises in Romford, Essex. The firm employs around 100 people
across its manufacturing and supply chain MRO divisions.
Farsound has enjoyed strong growth in recent years. Forecasts
indicate that this trend will continue through 2012 and beyond,
with the company driving forward its strategy to penetrate new
geographical markets and expand its customer base.
UK-based industrial investors, Rubicon and Grovepoint, formed
RGI to build a global portfolio of high quality industrial
businesses, with a focus on those operating in the manufacturing
and distribution sectors. Farsound is the first acquisition for the
portfolio, and it will provide RGI with a solid platform from which
to make further acquisitions in the aerospace sector.
The Clearwater team that advised Farsound on the sale comprised
partner Jon Hustler, assistant director Mark Day and senior
industrial analyst Constantine Biller.
Jon Hustler, head of industrials at Clearwater's Birmingham
office, said: "The prospects for the aerospace sector are very
positive and the acquisition of Farsound confirms that there is
growing interest from strategic investors in the industry.
"Farsound is a high-quality, well-invested and well-managed
business. I am confident that it will go from strength to strength
under its new ownership".
Debbie Gulperin, the major shareholder at Farsound, said:
"Despite the challenging economic backdrop, we have seen increasing
acquisition activity in the sector, as investors seek out good,
sound businesses.
"Farsound has worked hard to establish itself in key
technologies and markets, and RGI is the right buyer to further
this strategy and take the business forward. Working closely with
the management team, RGI's influence will ensure the continuation
of the growth and success achieved over recent years."
Farsound is Clearwater's second deal in the aerospace and
defence sector this year, having previously advised Tritech Group
Limited on its sale to Indian castings manufacturer Uni Deritend
Limited.