Yorkshire’s top 10 deals stories of 2016
HERE are your top 10 deals stories from TheBusinessDesk.com (so far) this year.
These are the top most-read stories this year, each read by thousands of regional business people.
1. Law firm acquires two teams from rival
hlw Keeble Hawson sold its clinical negligence and brain injury departments to a rival firm in October, causing a stir in the marketplace.
2. 90 Yorkshire jobs lost or at risk despite retailer’s deal with administrators
A pre-pack deal for shoe retailer Brantano couldn’t save the jobs of dozens of people. Even Alteri couldn’t save this one and it passed between owners until a resolution was delivered.
3. Billion-dollar US firm snaps up Leeds agency
Marketing behemoth acquired agency Stickyeyes in a major deal that will see the Leeds-based company move further into global markets.
4. Asda takes over £450m-turnover businesses from Yorkshire meat tycoon
UK supermarkets have faced a rollercoaster of a year, but a high for Leeds-based Asda acquire Forza AW and Kober, which were owned by entrepreneur Max Smith-Hilliard.
5. US giant’s pre-pack purchase secures 2,000 jobs
Another high profile administration this year was that of vehicle parts business Andrew Page which was acquired by US giant LKQ Corporation.
6. Liquidators sell £100m golf resort
The ongoing saga at Flaxby came to a head after years of indecision and legal wrangling leading property developers to acquire the site for a village development.
7. £40m merger creates online industry leader
The merger between Leeds-based Pharmacy2U and ChemistDirect.co.uk, headquartered in Oldbury, West Midlands, was a major deal in the growing healthtech market in Yorkshire.
8. Recruitment company bought in £7m deal
Specialist engineering firm Qualtech Resourcing by Midlands-based Capital Outsourcing. It called the Dewsbury firm a “perfect fit”.
9. £20m manufacturer snapped up by billion-pound Chinese firm
In a year of international political and economic turbulence, ties are being made with major Chinese investors buying into the Yorkshire brand, shown in the acquisition of Pyronix by Hikvision.
10. MBO at West Yorkshire vehicle firm
Another successful succession plan saw the management at Wakefield-based MTS Nationwide take over the company.
