M&A Advisory / Debt Advisory – buying a business
Stonbury Holdings
FRP Corporate Finance advises mid-market private equity investor LDC on its investment in sustainability specialist Stonbury. Background Headquartered in Bedfordshire, Stonbury Holdings has a 40-year heritage of working with UK water companies and environment agencies to provide low-carbon services to maintain, repair and refurbish their critical assets, from drinking water provision to wastewater treatment, helping to protect supplies and extend asset lives. The national company employs about 300 people across 11 locations in the UK. FRP was approached to support private equity firm LDC after they had secured preferred bidder status in a competitive auction process run by the sellers. It recorded revenues of £44.7 million in the year to June 2022. Action FRP Corporate Finance were approached to provide buyside advice and debt advisory services to LDC. The FRP teams’ advice encompassed valuation analysis, market mapping for acquisitions, detailed financial modelling and exit analysis. The debt team ran a competitive debt process sourcing multiple offers of finance for the deal with differing structures and attributes. Ultimately there were several lenders, but the FRP team negotiated an improved package with one of the lenders which resulted in that party being given exclusivity. Outcome LDC obtained a very competitive debt package to support the acquisition of Stonbury against a backdrop of rising interest rates and uncertainty in the markets. The other analysis and support FRP provided allowed the debt to progress smoothly and ultimately to a successful conclusion.
Sustainability sits at the heart of the challenge water companies and environmental organisations are facing. Creating a more resilient and efficient water network and a healthier, safer environment will be vital to reduce the impact of significant weather events. Stonbury is well- equipped to support our clients with low-carbon and nature-based solutions.
Trevor Hoyle Stonbury Holdings
Dan Bowtell Partner Corporate Finance Cambridge +44 (0)7979 536 343 dan.bowtell@frpadvisory.com
Tom Cox Partner Debt Advisory
London West End +44(0)7916 252 101 tom.cox@frpadvisory.com
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