Member Article

Manchester PE firm sells Hansen Protection

Private equity firm, Montagu, has announced its decision to sell specialist outdoor equipment firm, Hansen Protection.

The Manchester-based business said it will sell Hansen to funds managed by pan-European private equity firm, IK Investment Partners.

Hansen Protection makes specialist survival suits for extreme weather conditions, and is the only company to supply rental transport suits to energy firms in the Norwegian Continental Shelf.

The business works out of six helicopter sites in Norway, Denmark and Canada, with further business activities in textile products and personal protection for the oil and gas industries, as well as the defence, agriculture and marine sectors.

Montagu acquired Hansen through a management buyout in February 2011, after which the business invested heavily in infrastructure and facilities, and expanded for the first time outside its domestic region into Canada.

Terje Gorm Hansen, chief executive, commented: “Montagu has been a valuable partner to our business since the MBO and has given significant support to the growth and development of Hansen Protection.

“We have built a strong business in recent years and have a world-class operational capacity and product range, which will be a critical platform for growth. We are excited to have IK Investment Partners on board.

“Our focus now is on expanding into new markets and developing new products in line with significant opportunities in the sector.”

Anthony Greensmith, director at Montagu, said: “Our partnership with Hansen Protection has been very productive and we are delighted with the Company’s growth since our investment.

“The business is exceptionally well-managed and provides mission-critical products to its customers. We are proud to have been a part of Hansen Protection’s growth story and to have helped the Company to expand its product range and enter new markets. We wish the Company and its management every success in the future.”

Kristian Kemppinen, partner at IK Investment Partners, added: IK was attracted to the company because of its strong management team, attractive market position, long-term customer relationships and potential for further growth.

“In particular, the company will benefit from further growth on the Norwegian Continental Shelf, the single biggest offshore market. We look forward to working with the team to develop the business through both organic growth and selective acquisitions.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Miranda Dobson .