MCF supports the shareholders of UK timber giant BSW Group on its sale to Endless LLP
BSW Group (“BSW”), the largest integrated forestry and sawmilling business in the UK, has been acquired by the private equity firm Endless LLP (“Endless”), as part of a multi-level growth plan for the company. MCF acted as financial adviser to the shareholders of BSW, leveraging its prior expertise in the forest products segment.
The Deal
After more than 170 years in private family ownership, BSW has grown into the UK’s largest forest products group. Endless has acquired 100% of the business and, following the acquisition, will provide capital to support the next stage in BSW’s development and back its ambitious future growth plans through further market position expansion.
The Target
Founded in 1848 in the town of Earlston in Berwickshire, where the head office remains, BSW is the UK’s largest sawmilling group and one of Europe’s top twenty timber producers. BSW has five main operating divisions: tree nurseries, forestry management, tree harvesting, sawmilling, and energy.
Having undertaken a £125 million investment programme over the last 10 years, BSW is committed to supporting sustainable forestry and the group currently has 1,200 employees and turns over £350 million annually. BSW has expanded its business and integrated a long-term supply chain through organic growth and via acquisitions such as Tilhill Forestry, Alvic Plastics and, more recently, Maelor Forest Nurseries.
BSW Timber’s sawmilling business operates at seven sites in the UK – Fort William, Boat of Garten, Petersmuir, Dalbeattie, Carlisle, Southampton and Newbridge-on-Wye – and one in Riga, Latvia. BSW Timber has capacity to produce over 1.2 million m3 of sawn timber per year, and all the company’s timber is FSC certified.
Client statement
Tony Hackney, CEO of BSW Group, said,
“This is fantastic news for BSW. Whilst it is business as usual, we are excited by the opportunities new ownership will bring us and we look forward to entering a new era of rapid growth and development under Endless’ ownership. We would also like to thank the Brownlie family for creating such a strong legacy and supporting the growth of the company and its employees.”
About BSW Group
The UK’s market-leading sawmiller, employing over 1,200 people and with a turnover of £350 million annually. BSW has seven UK and one Latvian sawmill and has an integrated long-term supply chain ranging from forest nurseries through to forest management, harvesting, sawmilling and timber manufacturing as well as its energy business.
About Endless LLP
Endless LLP is a UK based private equity investor with offices in Leeds, London and Manchester. The firm focuses on UK headquartered businesses with a turnover between £10 million and £1 billion, and its investors include universities and charitable organisations, family offices and pension funds.
