Deals round-up: week ending Nov 20

The company: Hudson & Associates Solicitor-Advocates, a divorce and family law specialist based in Kirkby Lonsdale, Cumbria.

The deal: The firm has been acquired by Leeds-based Cohen Cramer Solicitors for an undisclosed sum.

The story: Hudson & Associates will now operate under the Cohen Cramer name.  John Hudson will operate from both the Leeds and Kirkby Lonsdale offices.

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The companies: GM Procure, a consortium of social housing providers, based in Manchester and Impact Manchester, another not-for-profit housing consortium.

The deal: The pair will merge in summer 2010, creating what they say will be the largest social housing procurement organisation in the UK. The aim of the merger is to deliver a more consistent approach to the procurement of construction-related products and services for members.

The quotes: Nigel Wilson, chair of IMPACT, said:  “The staffing, systems and new framework agreements for suppliers are being outlined and we are confident that the resources within the separate organisations will serve to deliver a comprehensive and successful strategy.”

Ian Perry, chair of GM Procure, said: “Agreeing the merger with the various parties was a significant step towards meeting the aims of both organisations. Our projected combined spend of in excess of £1bn over four years will be a terrific boost to the local economy.”

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The company: Plumbing and heating specialist Booth Mechanical Services, based in Liverpool and employing around 60 staff.

The deal: It has been bought by Shaun Maclean, the former managing director of Manchester-based Apollo Heating,

The value: Undisclosed, but it was a “seven-figure deal”, according to Mr Maclean.

The story: Former joint owners Ron Hitchmough and Tony Hall will leave the 40-year-old firm, while David Widdows will remain in his role as operations director.

The quote: Mr Maclean, said: “I am especially pleased that David Widdows is staying with the business. We will continue to drive the business forward into a new era of opportunity and growth. It is a credit to the company that Booth Mechanical Services has such a strong reputation. It is a reputation I am keen to maintain and enhance by drawing on my 25 years experience working at the highest level in the heating industry.”

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The company: United Utilities

The deal: It has disposed of its 15% stake in Leeds-based Northern Gas Networks Holdings which distributes gas to homes and businesses across the north.

The value:  £85.75m.

The story: This deal is the second realisation of an investment in as many weeks by UU – it also recently sold its stake in Manila Water of the Philippines for £44m.

UU has sold its stake to the three other partners in NGN,  PG (April) Limited, a subsidiary of Cheung Kong Infrastructure Holdings; Beta Central Profits a subsidiary of Hongkong Electric Holdings and the SAS TrusteeCorporation, which is managed by German company RREEF. Completion of the transaction is expected by the end of 2009. 

UU, which runs the water and electricity networks in the North West, is retaining the contract to operate the gas network.

The quote:  A spokeswoman for UU said: “This deal is about recycling capital. We did it last week with Manila Water and did something similar last year. We have realised the value of our investment and there was a good opportunity to do that with Northern Gas Networks.

“We have retained the contract which covers the operational side of the business as we did when we sold our stake in the electricity asset.”

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The company: Trafford Park-based Supreme Imports, which supplies goods including batteries and photographic products to independent retailers.

The deal: It has acquired Battery Force, in Kent, England, an online seller of batteries for an undisclosed sum.

The story: Battery Force was set up six years ago to sell discounted brand name batteries through the internet. The deal will give Supreme Imports with a greater share of the end user market.