Go to deals
Agriculture | Industrial Machinery & Components | Logistics

Spaldings Holdings Limited has been acquired by Marubeni Corporation

May 2012 — The Japanese Marubeni Corporation (Marubeni) has acquired a majority controlling interest, with a minority equity stake retained by the existing shareholders, of Spaldings Holding Limited (Spaldings), a leading UK national distributor of replacement and consumable parts for the land management sector, for US$40 million.

Spaldings is unique in its market position in dealing directly with 35,000 UK and Ireland land managers, principally farmers, local authorities and their approved contractors that are serviced via a direct sales force, telephone sales and e-commerce trading. Spaldings will become part of Marubeni, whose other interests in the UK include the sale of agrochemicals, agricultural machinery and other transportation equipment.

The Marubeni Corporation is one of the largest trading companies in Japan with world-wide interests across varying markets such as food, forestry, chemicals, energy, minerals, power, finance and transportation and machinery.

David Fox, Spaldings Chief Executive and his senior executive team have entered into long-term employment agreements with Marubeni. Commenting on the acquisition, David said: “The opportunity to become part of a world-wide operation such as Marubeni is tremendously exciting. With their infrastructure, resources and knowledge the future of the Spaldings business with opportunities to grow both organically and via acquisition will only be enhanced."

Our role in the transaction

Oaklins Cavendish, based in the UK, advised the seller in this transaction.

Parties

Talk to the deal team

Lord Leigh of Hurley

Managing Partner
London, United Kingdom
Oaklins Cavendish

Michael Jewell

Partner
London, United Kingdom
Oaklins Cavendish

Related deals

Contrinex has joined Nordson
Industrial Machinery & Components

Contrinex has joined Nordson

Contrinex S.A., a Swiss technology leader in high-performance sensors for factory automation, has been acquired by Nordson Corporation, a US-based precision technology company. Contrinex will become part of Nordson’s Advanced Technology Solutions segment. The acquisition complements Nordson’s test and inspection portfolio with expertise in sensing technologies for harsh environments and miniature precision positioning, expanding its capabilities in factory automation and control. Contrinex will benefit from Nordson’s global sales infrastructure and continued investment in bringing its technologies to more customers worldwide.

Learn more
KPS Food Group has joined ForFarmers Polska, a joint venture controlled by ForFarmers N.V.
Agriculture | Food & Beverage

KPS Food Group has joined ForFarmers Polska, a joint venture controlled by ForFarmers N.V.

ForFarmers N.V. has strengthened its position in Poland’s growing poultry market through the establishment of a joint venture with KPS Food Group, a leading poultry producer with operations spanning farming, slaughtering and food processing. ForFarmers’ existing Polish joint venture, Tasomix, and KPS’s operations have been combined to form ForFarmers Polska, which has an enterprise value of approximately US$585 million. ForFarmers holds a controlling 50.5% stake and will fully consolidate the joint venture. The founders of KPS and Tasomix remain minority shareholders.

Learn more
Cibus has acquired Aweta from Standard Investment
Private Equity | Agriculture | Industrial Machinery & Components

Cibus has acquired Aweta from Standard Investment

Standard Investment has reached an agreement with Cibus Capital, advisor to the Cibus funds, on the sale of Aweta, a global leader in fruit and vegetable sorting, grading and packing equipment. Completion of the transaction is expected in the coming weeks. The transaction provides Aweta with a strong partner to support the company’s next growth phase. Under Cibus’ ownership, Aweta will pursue further international growth and accelerate investment in R&D, supporting the installed base and product innovation, including software and AI capabilities. Aweta’s leadership team will continue to lead the business.

Learn more