Cobbetts has worked together with other professional firms in the region to instigate and drive a multi-million pound national deal continuing their individual runs of deal making success.  

Cobbetts LLP, Cooper Parry Corporate Finance and Translink Corporate Finance have advised on the respective sale and acquisition of Forum Products Holdings Limited (“Forum”) by Barentz Europe B.V (“Barentz”), to create a pan-European leader in the distribution of specialty ingredients. 

The transaction has enabled Netherlands-based Barentz to expand its presence in the UK market, and capitalise on Redhill-based Forum Products’ strong life science ingredient distributor position in the pharmaceutical, food and animal nutrition markets. Forum Products recorded revenues of £85m in 2011.

The Cobbetts team advised on Forum’s original management buyout in 2008 and subsequent strategic growth acquisitions. The deal was led by Birmingham-based corporate partner Adrian Cutler and supported by associate, Emma Ray.

Adrian Cutler said: “We have been particularly close with the team at Forum, after helping it through an ambitious growth strategy since its MBO in 2008. It was the strength of this on going relationship that helped to drive the transaction to the Midlands.
“Not only does the deal represent a great return on the shareholders’ original investment, but also indicative of the strength of the Midlands professional community to have such a pivotal role in a market-changing deal.”

Barentz Europe B.V. is a privately owned company based in the Netherlands and present in 26 countries in Europe, employing more than 400 personnel with an estimated turnover of circa €650m in 2011. The group has a leading Pan European position distributing ingredients and additives for the food, pharmaceutical & cosmetic, chemical and nutrition industries and has built long term relationships with worldwide suppliers and European producers.

Picture caption: Adrian Cutler, Cobbetts LLP