Springboard Corporate Finance is pleased to announce that it has led the management buy out of Coventry based Arden Fine Foods.
About the deal
Arden Fine Foods, a leading sourcer and supplier of biscuits and bakery products, has been acquired by its management team, led by Managing Director, Gary Barr, for an undisclosed sum. The transaction was completed with funding from Barclays Bank. The current shareholders of Arden retain a significant interest in the business with current joint MD Jon Barlow becoming Chairman.
Arden, which has turnover of in excess of £20 million, works with food manufacturers globally to develop continental sweet and savoury biscuits which are then supplied into the UK multiple retailers and many other channels. Arden provides products across private label; supplier brand and increasingly under their fast growing Arden brand.
Commenting on the deal, Gary Barr said, “My team and I are very pleased to have completed this transaction and look forward to the next phase of development for Arden. Significant opportunity now exists to build on the business’s history and reputation within the industry. We are excited by the opportunities ahead for the sector.”
Commenting on the deal on behalf of Springboard, Simon Ward said “Arden is a great UK success story. It is a business that over 20 years has shown strong growth and developed an enviable market position working globally. The team is exceptionally innovative and we are pleased to have been able to help them on the next stage of their development.”
How we made a difference
- Prepared an institutional business plan to include integrated financial forecasts across four statutory companies;
- Introduced debt funding partners and ran competitive funding process;
- Negotiated funding terms on behalf of Newco; and
- Project managed the process throughout securing a successful completion.
Gary Barr - Managing Director, Arden Fine Foods
Springboard worked with the MBO team to review strategic and funding options. Springboard devised a range of solutions and worked alongside us at all stages to ensure that they were delivered. Springboard delivered balanced advised at all stages in a professional and good humoured fashion.
