Vehicle converter business sold to Babcock International subsidiary

WALSALL-based vehicle converter business S. MacNeillie & Sons has been sold to Sutton Coldfield’s Babcock Critical Services, a subsidiary of plc Babcock International Group.

The financial details have not been disclosed.

S. MacNeillie & Sons is a specialist vehicle conversion company and a manufacturer of armoured vehicles. Established in 1947, the company, which also has offices in Uxbridge and the United Arab Emirates, is a long established supplier to the emergency services, military, civil service and other security focused organisations throughout the world. 

Last year the firm turned over in excess of £34m.

Babcock Critical Services is part of the larger engineering support services group Babcock International.

Neal Misell, managing director of Babcock’s Critical Services, said: “We are delighted to have MacNeillie within the Babcock Group. It is a brand renowned for its quality, expertise and innovation within the sectors it serves and we both share the same values; namely a focus on our people and their safety, long term partnerships and excellence in delivery.

“The acquisition of MacNeillie is particularly significant to the business as it provides the final piece in our whole life asset management capability.”

The corporate team at Brierley Hill law firm Higgs & Sons and Birmingham-based corporate financial advisory firm Odyssey advised the former shareholders of S. MacNeillie & Sons on the sale of the company.

The Higgs & Sons team was led by corporate partner Susheel Gupta who said: “Higgs provided comprehensive advice across several areas including corporate, tax, commercial, property and employment matters. 

“Working collaboratively was key to our support, and it was gratifying to all who were involved that we were able to help the shareholders secure this significant deal.”

Law firm DLA Piper’s London office advised Babcock Critical Services.