A Warren & Sons

Deal Summary

Catalyst advised on the sale of Warren & Sons to BSS Group plc for £15 million.

Originally founded in 1921, Warren & Sons offers a range of tubes, flanges, valves, gauges, radiators and fittings supplying into the industrial plumbing and heating construction market, largely to engineering contractors, through its four branches located in Oldham, Leeds, Birmingham and London.

What difference did we make?

Catalyst worked with the shareholders over a two year period to assess the right exit strategy for the business. This involved assessing the consequences for exit value of the strategic decisions made in the business, including opening a new depot in London.

The conclusion of the exit strategy work was that, as a specialist business, strategic value was likely to come from a direct competitor and our extensive sector knowledge allowed us to focus on BSS Group plc as being the key strategic buyer. Focusing on only one buyer, and that being a direct competitor, presented a real challenge for a sale process.

However via detailed preparation and robust negotiation, the deal completed exactly to the terms set out in the indicative offer with commercially sensitive information being released only just before completion.