08-04-2008
Epsilon completes on sale with the help of BPE Solicitors’ corporate team
Law firm BPE has advised the owners of Gloucester-based Epsilon Test Services Ltd on their sale to South Wales-based Personal Hygiene Services, part of the PHS Group Plc
Epsilon is the number one electrical safety test specialists in the UK. Formed in 1993 around Managing Director Mark Blanchfield’s kitchen table, the business recorded profit growth of 300 per cent last year.
The company, which specialises in electrical safety test services, portable appliance testing (PAT), fixed electrical installation testing and thermal imaging, can name many of the UK’s largest facilities management organisations and blue chip companies as clients.
The owners agreed to sell a majority share in the business to Personal Hygiene Services for an undisclosed sum. PHS, a current Epsilon client, purchased the business as part of its strategy to broaden its range of services.
Epsilon will continue to be operated on an “as is” basis by the current team, ensuring continuity and accountability for performance, while supporting and plugging into the opportunities provided by being part of the PHS Group.
Epsilon’s 179 staff will be retained by the new owners and, thanks to a generous Employee Management Incentive Scheme, a number of employees will benefit financially from the sale.
The Beacon South West company and Top 100 Gloucestershire business has invested heavily in new technology in recent years culminating in the development of the most advanced hand-held computer system in the industry.
“Under new ownership Epsilon remains in a fantastic position to continue to go from strength-to-strength, capitalising on our previous investments in technology and recent developments in the structure of the business. We are suppliers of choice for the majority of facilities management companies in the UK because we believe in delivering the best possible levels of service and have always aimed to set the benchmark standard for our industry,” said Managing Director Mark Blanchfield
BPE Corporate Partner John Workman advised the owners on the sale, supported by fellow Corporate Partner Helen Lovatt and Associate Guy Hopson. Morgan Cole advised PHS Group Plc.
The eight-strong corporate team at BPE has hit the ground running in 2008, notching up a series of deals with an aggregate value of £125m with further to complete this month and an encouraging pipeline – taking the firm a step closer to matching its best ever corporate deal tally in 2007.
The team is regularly called upon to manage work such as AIM floats, public takeovers, major M&As and high-value, complex commercial contracts for clients based in the South West and nationally.
Commenting on the transaction John Workman said: “Epsilon is a flagship Gloucestershire business which has grown beyond recognition thanks to the vision and dedication of its founding directors and current management team. They deserve their success and should be proud of the market-leading reputation they have gained in the industry.”
John Workman is Senior Partner and a Corporate Partner at BPE. He can be contacted on 01242 248 211 or via email john.workman@bpe.co.uk
Epsilon is the number one electrical safety test specialists in the UK. Formed in 1993 around Managing Director Mark Blanchfield’s kitchen table, the business recorded profit growth of 300 per cent last year.
The company, which specialises in electrical safety test services, portable appliance testing (PAT), fixed electrical installation testing and thermal imaging, can name many of the UK’s largest facilities management organisations and blue chip companies as clients.
The owners agreed to sell a majority share in the business to Personal Hygiene Services for an undisclosed sum. PHS, a current Epsilon client, purchased the business as part of its strategy to broaden its range of services.
Epsilon will continue to be operated on an “as is” basis by the current team, ensuring continuity and accountability for performance, while supporting and plugging into the opportunities provided by being part of the PHS Group.
Epsilon’s 179 staff will be retained by the new owners and, thanks to a generous Employee Management Incentive Scheme, a number of employees will benefit financially from the sale.
The Beacon South West company and Top 100 Gloucestershire business has invested heavily in new technology in recent years culminating in the development of the most advanced hand-held computer system in the industry.
“Under new ownership Epsilon remains in a fantastic position to continue to go from strength-to-strength, capitalising on our previous investments in technology and recent developments in the structure of the business. We are suppliers of choice for the majority of facilities management companies in the UK because we believe in delivering the best possible levels of service and have always aimed to set the benchmark standard for our industry,” said Managing Director Mark Blanchfield
BPE Corporate Partner John Workman advised the owners on the sale, supported by fellow Corporate Partner Helen Lovatt and Associate Guy Hopson. Morgan Cole advised PHS Group Plc.
The eight-strong corporate team at BPE has hit the ground running in 2008, notching up a series of deals with an aggregate value of £125m with further to complete this month and an encouraging pipeline – taking the firm a step closer to matching its best ever corporate deal tally in 2007.
The team is regularly called upon to manage work such as AIM floats, public takeovers, major M&As and high-value, complex commercial contracts for clients based in the South West and nationally.
Commenting on the transaction John Workman said: “Epsilon is a flagship Gloucestershire business which has grown beyond recognition thanks to the vision and dedication of its founding directors and current management team. They deserve their success and should be proud of the market-leading reputation they have gained in the industry.”
John Workman is Senior Partner and a Corporate Partner at BPE. He can be contacted on 01242 248 211 or via email john.workman@bpe.co.uk
