Search
Search

Home • Case studies • Bollfilter

Corporate Finance Case Study

Bollfilter

Based in Tolleshunt D’Arcy, Essex Bollfilter UK Limited is a filtration specialist supplying liquids and gases for industrial use.

Over the years Managing Director John Dow and Finance Director Veronica Brown, operating as Geedon Ltd, built up Bollfilter UK Ltd to become an exceptionally well-managed and successful business. Geedon Limited owned 75% of the issued share capital in Bollfilter UK Limited and the remaining 25% was owned by Boll & Kirch Filterbau GmbH (based in Germany). In early 2019, after having devoted years to establishing the Bollfilter brand, John and Veronica decided to exit the business and look to retirement.

One of the core objectives for both Veronica and John was ensuring succession and continuity of both the business and the Bollfilter brand that they had spent so many years developing. The Corporate Finance team at Scrutton Bland were able to help the pair draw up a robust business plan enabling the sale to proceed to German partner Boll & Kirch Filterbau GmbH which gave the existing UK management team the continuity of a buyer who was already known to them, whilst at the same time meeting John and Veronica’s own personal financial goals.

“Veronica and I had a very fulfilling experience in building up the company along with our partners Boll & Kirch GmbH, from small beginnings to a market leading position. It just felt like the right moment in our working lives to step aside and so sought professional advice”

John Dow,
former Managing Director, Bollfilter

Highlights and challenges

Managing a cross-border transaction with a German buyer and UK seller can be challenging, particularly where there are existing shareholders involved. the Scrutton Bland team were able to assist the Board in reaching an outcome which provided a managed exit for John and Veronica meeting their retirement plans, whilst also helping to ensure the continuity of the trading business. through the expertise within the team.

It was important that the Scrutton Bland advisers were able to negotiate not only in the international tax and accounting regimes, but equally the social and cultural differences which can be present in cross boarder transactions and which can have a significant impact on all parties involved from the buyer and seller to local management teams and employees.

Following a successful transaction Bollfilter UK Limited is now a wholly owned subsidiary of Boll & Kirch Filterbau GmbH and continues to thrive.

How we were able to help

  • ✓  Brokering the cross-border transaction from origination to Heads of Terms
  • ✓  Advising the Board on the most effective structure for the transaction
  • ✓  Helping the Board determine a valuation for the purposes of the share transaction
  • ✓  Assisting both parties to agree Heads of Terms
  • ✓  Reviewing the legal documentation

Other case studies

Corporate Finance Case Study

Sale of CMG Technologies Limited

Corporate Finance Case Study

Barenbrug UK acquisition of Watson Seeds

Corporate Finance Case Study

Sale of John Catt Educational Publishers to Hachette UK

About Us

Scrutton Bland have been helping people and businesses across the East of England with their accounts and finances for over 100 years.

View about us

Who we work with

An in-depth understanding of your circumstances, coupled with complete familiarity with current legislation and the latest technology, means we are perfectly placed to provide valuable audits and optimise your systems.

Check the sectors we work with