ORBIS ADVISES ON MANAGEMENT BUY-OUT OF MICROLISE

Birmingham-based corporate finance advisor, Orbis Partners, has advised the management of Microlise Limited and also invested in the multi-million buy-out of the company. Microlise, based in Eastwood, Nottingham, is one of the UK’s leading providers of technology solutions for the transport & logistics industry.
 

The senior management team, led by managing director Nadeem Raza, has acquired the company for an undisclosed sum. Steve Lamb of Orbis Partners will join the management team as non-executive chairman. As part of the management buy-out, Microlise’s 22,000 sq ft head office premises has been sold under a sale and leaseback agreement to property boutique Callidus Properties. Bank facilities were provided to Microlise by HSBC, Nottingham.
 

Established in 1982, today Microlise employs over 170 staff. Company turnover is forecast to grow by over 30% this year to over £18M.
 

Initially, Microlise built its reputation and a significant market presence as a specialist developer of bespoke software and hardware for warehouse management applications. Over the years, the company has broadened its offering into the wider transport & logistics sector as markets and technologies have evolved.
 

Today, the company offers a comprehensive and feature rich solutions portfolio that assists its many customers in managing and optimising their mobile assets and resources - vehicles, goods and mobile workers. A well established presence in the UK is being augmented by increasing market penetration overseas, notably in Europe and Australia via local resellers, and in the USA, where Microlise operates directly.
 

Mainly focused on third-party logistics providers, retail distribution and the rapidly growing home delivery market, Microlise also enjoys success in specialist sectors, including petro-chemical distribution, cement, aggregates & bulk powder deliveries and temperature controlled distribution. Continuing a long track record in technological innovation has also seen the company developing new solutions based on emerging radio frequency identification (RFID) technology.
 

The Microlise client list features many blue-chip enterprises including DHL, Wincanton, Waitrose, Co-op, Kelloggs, LaFarge, Cemex, Allied Bakeries, Bunzl Catering, Woolworths and Jaguar Land Rover.
 

Chris Gregory, partner at Orbis and lead advisor on the deal, said ‘Microlise has established a strong brand and an enviable business reputation built from over 25 years successful trading in the supply chain and logistics marketplace. The management team, together with non-executive Chairman Steve Lamb, has a wealth of experience in the technology sector and is perfectly placed to continue growing the business and further developing its product and services’.
 

Commenting on the deal, Microlise managing director, Nadeem Raza, said ‘The executive team’s long term business objective is to make Microlise the number one global vendor in our chosen sector. We have a great team at Microlise, right across the business, and we look forward very much to enjoying continued growth and success together’.
 

Legal advice to the management team was provided by Richard Underwood Corporate Partner at Martineau Johnson.