£280m sale of safety solutions provider

We have advised safety solutions provider, Kee Safety on its sale to leading provider and manager of alternative global investment products, Investcorp for £280m. The business was acquired from Dunedin and LDC.

Kee Safety is a leading global supplier of fall protection systems, guardrails and working at height safety equipment designed to separate people from hazards and has clients across more than 60 countries ranging from multi-national corporations to distributors and installers. It has established operations in ten countries, including China and the US.

Our advice included preparation of a vendor legal due diligence report in relation to the group and coordination of similar reports from firms in the USA, Germany, Ireland and The Netherlands. Use of vendor reporting enabled the bidder to move quickly to exchange and completion. Kee Safety has been a client since 2013 when we acted on its management buyout in a transaction funded by Dunedin and LDC.

Our transaction team, led by Partner Paul Hayward, included Senior Associate, Andrew Cowan and Associate Natalie Georgiou. Transaction support was provided by a cross-discipline team led by Andrew Cowan and including specialist lawyers in Gateley Plc’s corporate, commercial, intellectual property, real estate, regulatory, banking, employment and pensions teams.

Partner and head of our London office, Paul Hayward, added: “Having worked with Chris Milburn, Chairman for Kee Safety and the team since 2013 it was a pleasure to work with them on this transaction which is a good move for Kee Safety and with its strong reputation and global presence, I expect they will do well with Investcorp’s plans to support their international growth. The transaction also provides a good return to our private equity clients, Dunedin and LDC.”