Sale of Bristol Uniforms to MSA represents huge opportunities for growth
RSM Corporate Finance LLP has advised on the sale of Bristol Uniforms and Bell Apparel to US-based safety company, MSA Safety Inc.
MSA has acquired Bristol Uniforms in its entirety as a going concern in a deal worth £44m, with 200 staff continuing in their current roles. The purchase enables Bristol Uniforms to enter its next phase of growth, and for MSA to increase its global presence in the provision of firefighting Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
MSA is a US listed manufacturer of safety equipment, providing helmets and breathing apparatus for fire services worldwide. The acquisition by MSA will provide a global network to build on its previous acquisition of Globe, a US based manufacturer of PPE for firefighters.
Bristol Uniforms specialises in the design and manufacture of PPE for firefighters, with over 60 years’ experience in the fire sector. Through the leadership of Ian Mitchell and Roger Startin, Bristol Uniforms has become a trusted supplier of innovative, premium quality protection to the world’s firefighters.
Bell Apparel is a leading manufacturer of flame-retardant, waterproof and other protective workwear for the utility industry.
Based in Bristol, with four sites across the UK, the two businesses supply PPE both nationally and internationally.
The transaction was led by Ian Wherry, partner at RSM, and supported by Mark Colling and Clare Martin. TLT Solicitors, based in Bristol, provided legal advice.
Mark Colling from RSM, commented: ‘Bristol Uniforms has been a very long standing client of RSM and it has been a pleasure to work with Ian and his team to find one of Bristol’s oldest business new owners that share its outlook and is looking to grow the business’s brand worldwide’
Bristol deputy chairman Ian Mitchell commented: ‘We see today’s acquisition as a great fit for both our organizations. From a product synergy perspective, Bristol Uniforms aligns with MSA’s existing portfolio, enhances our reach into the global turnout gear market, and it gives us new opportunities to serve our customer base with a broader range of head-to-toe firefighter protection.’ Mr. Mitchell added, ‘Culturally, MSA and Bristol are very well-aligned, and we are excited about today’s news as we see this acquisition as a great match for both Bristol and for MSA. We are a very grateful to the team at RSM for their hard work on our behalf to secure a good deal for both the existing shareholders and the future of the business in Bristol.’
‘Helping to keep firefighters safe has been a longstanding element of the MSA mission,’ said Nish Vartanian, MSA chairman, president and CEO. ‘The acquisition of Bristol advances that mission as well as our growth strategy to protect firefighters from head-to-toe with the very best in safety technology,’ he said.
‘Today’s acquisition reflects the confidence we have in our team’s ability to quickly integrate Bristol into the MSA portfolio and it recognizes the progress our team in Europe has made in executing MSA’s overall vision for growth,’ he said
