The client
Whistl is the UK’s largest Downstream Access Business Mail. They operate six depots across the UK and provide mail, parcels, door-drop media and fulfilment services in the UK and internationally – handling 3.8 billion items a year. Having completed three acquisitions in 2018, the company’s ambitions are clear. Their revenues are in-excess of £600 million.
Ian Barton – a managing director in our Corporate Finance team – has a long running relationship with Whistl and has worked with the team at Whistl when they underwent a management buyout in 2015.
Outcome
Ian advised and oversaw the acquisition of Nottingham based Parcelhub, and sister company Mail Workshop by Whistl. By investing in Parcelhub and Mail Workshop, Whistl will be able to accelerate its growth strategy to take advantage of the growing £2 billion a year eCommerce fulfilment and parcel delivery market.
Quotes
Ian Barton, Partner at Quantuma said: “This was a fascinating deal to work on and I’m delighted to have supported Whistl through the complexities of getting this deal over the line. I worked with the team at Whistl when they underwent a management buyout in 2015 and this is second acquisition I have advised on with them since then. The company also acquired Prism DM in July 2017 as part of its growth strategy into the fulfilment market.”
Nick Wells, CEO of Whistl said:” We received first class support from all of our advisers involved in the deal including Ian Barton who provided the lead corporate finance advice both in his previous firm and now with Quantuma.
Mark Rosenberg, Managing Director, Parcelhub and Mail Workshop, said: “As part of our ambitious plans for the future, we have successfully completed discussions with Whistl to help us to grow Parcelhub and Mail Workshop which will benefit both our employees and customers.
Parcelhub and Mail Workshop give Whistl a stronger presence in the eCommerce sector, benefitting from our expertise across eCommerce solutions; especially carrier management and SMART customer services solutions. Whistl has a strong brand and a broad customer base who are ideal to utilise Parcelhub and Mail Workshop services.”
