MBO for catering and hospitality supplier
Prodis, one of the UK’s leading suppliers of own branded products to the catering and hospitality trade, has changed ownership in a management buy-out.
The Stoke on Trent-based company supplies its own brand of refrigeration equipment for bars/clubs, storage and display as well as ice makers, glasswashers, dishwashers, and catering equipment to bars, restaurants and hotels, acting as a distributor for brands such as Samsung, Icematic and Whirlpool.
The company has experienced a period of significant growth in recent years, driven by the outgoing shareholders and the management team.
The deal was led by managing director Anthony Faulkner, while founding shareholders Richard and Valarie Hammond will continue to own a minority shareholding.
Sheffield-based dealmakers Castle Square Corporate Finance provided corporate finance advice to the management team, with Newcastle Under Lyme based law firm Beswick’s providing legal advice.
Director Kevan Shaw and Patrick Lynch from the Castle Square Team advised the management team on the deal valuation and ran a structured process which resulted in NatWest providing the necessary finance to complete the transaction.
Lynch said: “In recent years the Prodis brand has received significantly increased recognition within the UK catering equipment sector, which is a testament to the hard work and commitment of Anthony and the Hammonds. The change of ownership will allow Anthony to continue driving the business forward on the back of this recent success and expand new opportunities to provide further growth to the business”.
Alan Dawson led the NatWest team which provided the acquisition finance alongside working capital facilities.
He said: “Prodis has been a longstanding member of Stoke business community since it was first established in the 1980s. NatWest is pleased to have had the opportunity to support Anthony and the team in their management buy-out. We hope that the transaction is just the start of a long-lasting relationship with the new management team and we look forward to working closely as they deliver the company’s future ambitions.”
