Iconic British brand Henri-Lloyd sold to Swiss performance brand
A Switzerland-based performance brand is to acquire iconic Manchester-based sailing and lifestyle business, Henri-Lloyd Group.
The acquisition by ODLO, a specialist sport and outdoor clothing brand which is owned by Monta Rosa Capital, is for a substantial undisclosed sum and is expected to be completed shortly.
Henri-Lloyd was established in Manchester in 1963 and has 85 staff in its UK retail business.
Hans Eckerström, chairman of Henri-Lloyd, said: “The acquisition of Henri-Lloyd by ODLO opens up tremendous opportunities for the brand to reach its true potential to the benefit of all shareholders, both current and future.
“Joining a family of successful companies that share values and goals will accelerate our growth. Most importantly that journey will be based on quality, innovation and striving for sustainability – principles that the Henri-Lloyd team hold dearly.”
Henri-Lloyd was founded by Henri Strzelecki, who set out to create the world’s best and most durable waterproof clothing. He created several world-firsts within technical clothing that have today become industry standards, including seam taping garments for waterproofing and the invention of the nylon non-corrosive zip.
The Henri-Lloyd team will continue to be located in Manchester, and will collaborate with the ODLO team in the development of the brand and a new generation of innovative products.
ODLO chairman Hugo Maurstad said: “We are excited about including Henri-Lloyd into our family of brands. It is an iconic brand with a proud history. Together we aspire to further expand its product range and geographic footprint.
“Henri-Lloyd and ODLO are both companies that originated from technical innovations in outdoor sport apparel and they will complement each other going forward.”
ODLO chief executive Knut Are Høgberg added: “By leveraging ODLO’s comprehensive infrastructure, we can concentrate investments towards the Henri-Lloyd brand and its customers while progressing on the ambitious sustainability agenda of all brands within ODLO International.”
A team at north west law firm Taylors Solicitors has advised the owners of Henri-Lloyd on the sale to ODLO.
Taylors’ team of advisers was led by corporate partners Andrew Livesey and Matthew Catterall and the firm’s head of commercial property, partner John Lomax.
Andrew said: “Henri-Lloyd is an iconic British brand, and we are delighted to have been able to work with the business over the past few years, culminating in the current deal with ODLO.
“It is a pleasure and a privilege to be associated with such a dynamic business and team of individuals, and a brand that is instantly recognised worldwide. This was a particularly pressurised deal, with a substantial amount of detail to be dealt with in a short timescale.”
Taylors advised Henri-Lloyd when it last changed hands in 2018, when the brand and valuable assets were acquired out of administration by a group of investors led by Hans Eckerström with the aim of re-establishing the company as the premier brand for yachtsmen and sailors around the world.
