CBPE acquires majority stake in ABI
Livingstone has advised the shareholders of ABI, including management and private equity investor LGV Capital, on CBPE Capital LLP’s acquisition of a majority stake from LGV Capital.
ABI is a leading manufacturer of caravan holiday homes and one of the most highly regarded and established brands in the caravan holiday home industry. The company manufactures its caravan holiday homes in Beverley, East Yorkshire where it employs over 400 people. ABI is the second largest supplier into the UK market by volume and supplies all of the major holiday park groups, as well as smaller groups, independent parks and a number of dealerships in the UK market.
The Livingstone team previously advised ABI’s management team in 2011 when ABI was sold to LGV.
Mel Copper, chief executive at ABI, said:
“The management team are investing alongside CBPE, who have a strong pedigree in the sector and who have agreed to support the business in the next stage of its development. In LGV, the Livingstone team found a great owner for the business, who shared the management team’s vision for growth. When LGV were looking to exit, we had no hesitation to ask for their advice again.
“We are delighted to have the support of CBPE as our new investors, and look forward to continuing to develop the business and build on our position as one of the UK’s leading caravan holiday home manufacturers.”
Michael Mowlem, who led the investment for LGV, said:
“Our partnership with ABI has been a highly successful one. I would like to thank Livingstone, who provided outstanding guidance and support to the shareholders from start to finish.”
Graham Carberry, partner at Livingstone concluded:
“Since advising on the original investment by Mel and his team and LGV, we maintained a close relationship and watched with pleasure as the business continued to grow. To have been able to work with them, and LGV, has been a pleasure. We know in CBPE that management have a partner who will continue to support them, and we look forward to watching the next phase of the company’s development.”
