The latest Hilco Newsletter is out now
May 3rd, 2013
Our Newsletter for the first quarter of 2013 is out now – click here to read it now.
News
Valco nominated for turnaround awards
August 24th, 2011
Valco Capital Partners, the private equity arm of Hilco UK, has reached the final stage of the prestigious Insolvency & Rescue Awards for both the Burleigh and Park Precision turnarounds. The winner of the Business Rescue of the Year (Under £20m Turnover) category will be announced at the awards ceremony on 5 October 2011.
The category includes tough competition from major multinationals including PwC and KPMG but the Valco team remains optimistic, having previously won the award in 2009 for the Denby turnaround.
Denby to acquire Poole Pottery
June 20th, 2011
Denby Pottery, owned by Valco Capital Partners, the private equity arm of Hilco UK, has agreed terms to acquire Poole Pottery, the world famous studio pottery and visitor centre based in Poole, Dorset.
Poole Pottery was originally founded in 1873 and is well known for its brightly coloured glazed pottery designs. The visitor centre in Poole attracts over 500,000 people a year to its 32,000 sq ft outlet which contains a working pottery studio, the largest selection of Poole Pottery and a diverse range of fashion, homewares, gifts and a cafe.
For more information on Poole Pottery, please visit www.poolepottery.co.uk.
The Prince’s Regeneration Trust acquires Burleigh’s Middleport Pottery
June 14th, 2011
Burleigh, the 150 year old pottery company that was acquired in 2010 by Denby (the homewares group owned by Hilco UK’s private equity arm, Valco Capital Partners), has completed the sale of its historic premises to The Prince’s Regeneration Trust.
The Trust, one of HRH The Prince of Wales’ charities, will work with Burleigh, English Heritage and the UK Historic Building Preservation Trust to renovate Burleigh’s Middleport Pottery, the last working Victorian pottery in the UK. Original features will be restored and excess space will be converted into a world class visitor centre. The site will continue to produce the company’s famous Burleighware.
Oceans saved following £1.5 million MBO
February 23rd, 2011
Hilco has financed a £1.5 million MBO of Oceans, a high quality outdoor furniture business based in Banbury, enabling a management team led by Jonathon Aylmer, Clive Coules and John Bavister to acquire certain parts of the business and assets of Oceans Ventures Limited and its subsidiaries from Administrators.
The deal safeguards the future of the Oceans wholesale and distribution business and preserves the employment of 36 staff in the Banbury area.
For more information log on to www.oceansint.co.uk or visit Oceans’ stand at the Ideal Home Show from the 11th – 27th March (www.idealhomeshow.co.uk).
Valco Succeeds at Turnaround and Rescue Awards
October 26th, 2010
Building on the success of Valco winning Turnaround of the Year at the annual Turnaround and Rescue Awards last year, Valco Capital Partners – the investment arm of Hilco UK – has been awarded the runner up position this year for its role in the financial and operational restructuring of Home Flooring Solutions.
Home Flooring Solutions (HFS) is one of the leading flooring insurance claims service providers and specialises in the assessment, validation and fulfilment of domestic flooring claims on behalf of insurers. Following the Valco-backed MBO in mid-2009, Valco has provided the turnaround support to successfully separate the HFS business from the original parent company group to create a completely independent business, thereby complying with FSA best practice. In addition, the Valco team has successfully managed the fulfilment of more than 5,000 customer claims which were outstanding when the parent company of HFS entered Administration. At the same time Valco has assisted in the transition of 50% of all purchasing and cutting to a new supplier to obtain enhanced margins and improved customer choice.
Since acquisition, all key insurance contracts have been retained and the business has attained sole supplier status for one if its largest insurance clients. In addition the business has gained a number of new insurer contracts, including the claims business from a leading UK retailer. HFS is now profitable, has gained new business and is participating in the tenders for two large UK insurers in order to further grow the business in 2011.
HFS website goes live
October 22nd, 2010
Home Flooring Solutions (HFS) has launched a new website – www.homeflooringsolutions.co.uk. The new site reflects the company’s rebranding and repositioning as a truly independent flooring insurance claims specialist.
Denby acquires Burleigh pottery
September 17th, 2010
Denby Holdings Limited has completed the acquisition of Burgess, Dorling and Leigh Limited, the manufacturer of Burleigh pottery.
Famous for its signature blue and white floral designs, the 160 year old company has also manufactured product for premium US brands including Ralph Lauren and Williams Sonoma. Every piece of Burleigh is still made in the authentic Victorian pottery in Stoke-on-Trent.
Clipper Marine prepares for Southampton Boat Show
August 26th, 2010
The Clipper Marine team are set to launch four new models at the Southampton Boat Show which takes place from 10th – 19th September. With 16 boats from all of Clipper’s brands alongside the exciting new launches, the UK’s premier marine event is set to be bigger than ever.
Hilco Commercial supports Litho Supplies restructuring
January 12th, 2010
Litho Supplies has engaged a senior Hilco Commercial team to advise on the restructuring of this leading print consumables supplier.
The complexity of setting up a new business at speed and in the context of a distressed situation is often underestimated. The Hilco Commercial team will draw on extensive experience to support Litho Supplies’ directors through this process.