mynth
02/2010

LGC GROUP

Acquired by

BRIDGEPOINT

UNITED KINGDOM Industrial Services / TIC (Testing, Inspection, Certification) EV 300M - 700M GBP

Context

The acquisition of LGC by Bridgepoint marks a highly strategic external growth operation, driven by the private equity firm's investment thesis of supporting companies with strong service-based reputations in fragmented but growing markets. Through its acquisition of LGC, Bridgepoint aims to consolidate the company's market position and support its further growth, driven by increasing regulation and the trend towards outsourcing in both the public and private sectors. The deal is expected to provide LGC with the necessary resources and support to achieve its ambitions, including expanding its market coverage and building scale in the UK and internationally. With a strong track record of successful investments and a deep understanding of the markets in which it invests, Bridgepoint is well-placed to support LGC in achieving its full potential. The acquisition is also expected to provide opportunities for synergy realization, particularly in the areas of sales and marketing, where Bridgepoint's network of contacts and industry expertise can be leveraged to support LGC's growth. By partnering with Bridgepoint, LGC aims to enhance its market coverage and continue its progress towards becoming a world-leading scientific service business, with a focus on providing high-quality services to its customers and driving growth through a combination of organic expansion and strategic acquisitions.

LGC GROUP, which reported an EBITDA margin of LOGIN in 2010, is valued in this transaction at an EV/EBITDA multiple of LOGIN, representing a LOGIN to the average currently observed in the Business Services sector (11.1x).

Note that this data is based on contribution from our growing community, composed of M&A and Private Equity professionals, and has been verified by our team to ensure its accuracy.

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Target

LGC Group is a global leader in the Life Science Tools sector, providing critical measurement tools, specialty genomics reagents, and supply chain assurance standards. Established in 1842, the organization serves over 50,000 laboratories worldwide across human healthcare, agri-food, and environmental markets. Its portfolio includes proficiency testing schemes and analytical science capabilities essential for public safety and product regulation. The entity operates a global network across 22 countries and employs more than 3,200 people, including internationally recognized scientific experts. Under its mission "Science for a Safer World," the group enables organizations to develop and commercialize new products while advancing research in genomics and quality assurance.

Ent. Value

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Multiples

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EV / EBITDA

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EV / EBIT

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Historical Financials (GBP)

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2010
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2009
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Other operations with LGC GROUP

DateAcquirerTargetCountrySectorDeal Context
LGC GROUPUNITED KINGDOMIndustrial Services

A consortium led by Cinven and Astorg has acquired LGC Group from KKR. The transaction, which represents the first investment for Cinven's seventh fund. KKR, which acquired LGC in 2015 from Bridgepoint, reportedly achieved a 3x return on its investment following 15 bolt-on acquisitions and accelerated organic growth. The strategic rationale for the deal is to capitalize on LGC’s leading positions in the diversified and fast-growing genomics and quality assurance sectors. The new owners intend to back the existing management team, led by CEO Tim Robinson, to further expand LGC’s global presence, particularly in the US and Asia, and to pursue significant future development opportunities through complementary acquisitions. The deal was supported by a substantial new capital structure, including senior secured term loans and a 500 million GBP PIK (Payment-in-Kind) facility.

LGC GROUPUNITED KINGDOMIndustrial Services

KKR has signed a definitive agreement to acquire LGC Group from the private equity firm Bridgepoint. This secondary LBO marks a transition for LGC following its ownership by Bridgepoint, which acquired the company in 2010. The strategic rationale for the acquisition is to leverage KKR’s global platform to accelerate LGC’s growth, particularly in North America and Asia. KKR intends to support the company’s ongoing focus on R&D and pursue an aggressive buy-and-build strategy to consolidate the fragmented life sciences tools and services market. The transaction is subject to customary antitrust approvals and is expected to close in the first quarter of 2016. Simpson Thacher acted as legal counsel to KKR for this acquisition.

REFERENCES

Valuation range: EV 300M - 700M GBP

Revenue range: 100M - 200M GBP

EBITDA range: 5M - 25M GBP

Note: This page provides detailed data on a private equity M&A transaction. Detailed and exact financial metrics for the acquisition of LGC GROUP by BRIDGEPOINT are reserved for mynth community members. Register for free to unlock full data.

Authors: mynth contributor (mynth data is contributed by M&A / PE professionals and systematically cross-verified with private deal documents and official press releases).

Acquirer: bridgepoint