GBH Law advises Semmco Group on sale to HAKI Safety

GBH Law worked collaboratively with corporate finance advisers, Polestar Corporate Finance, and with Semmco’s accountants, Altitude Accounting on the deal, ensuring a smooth process that completed within 6 weeks from heads of terms to completion.

Semmco Group is based in Woking, UK with facilities in Arlington, USA and an office in Dubai. Stuart McOnie started the business in 1993 and has since built a strong brand and reputation based on excellence in its integrated design and manufacturing process, as well as for product innovation and quality.  With over 50 employees, the company serves the world’s leading aviation and rail operators across Australasia, North America, the Middle East and Europe from its manufacturing hubs in the UK and US, together with its sales office based in Dubai.  Semmco’s range of products includes maintenance access platforms and steps for aircraft, helicopters, trains and vehicles, as well as ground support equipment for the aviation and helicopter industries.

HAKI Safety is an international Sweden-based industrial group focusing on safety products and solutions that create safe working conditions at temporary workplaces. The Group has annual sales of around SEK 1.2 billion and since 1989, has been listed on Nasdaq Stockholm stock exchange. HAKI Safety offers a wide range of products and solutions within system scaffolding, work zone safety, and digital and technical solutions. The company has 300 employees, with offices and manufacturing sites in eight countries in Europe, as well as a sales office and depot in Canada.

Stuart McOnie, Semmco Founder said: “I started Semmco over 31 years ago with the ambition of building a reputable and successful business.  We have an enviable reputation and a comprehensive range of products and have now reached a point in the company’s growth ambitions where new investment is needed to take the business forward to the next level.  We took our time to find the right partner with the same focus on manufacturing excellence and business integrity.  I believe that HAKI Safety is the right business to take Semmco forward to continued success.”

Commenting on the deal, Kate Doody said: “It was a real pleasure to work with the Semmco team and we were delighted to complete this deal for them before the October budget.  I am sure that the business will continue to go from strength to strength under William McOnie’s new leadership, and HAKI Safety’s new ownership.”

Stuart McOnie will leave the business at the end of the year with his son William McOnie continuing his role as managing director for the Semmco Group.

For more information about the corporate team at GBH Law click here, or to discuss any corporate or other business legal advice you may require, please contact Kate Doody.