H2 Equity Partners agrees to sell Isero to Grafton Group plc after a successful buy-and-build

H2 Equity Partners (“H2”) is pleased to announce that it has agreed to sell Isero B.V. (“Isero”), the leader in the Dutch ironmongery distribution market, to Grafton Group plc (“Grafton”), a London listed FTSE250 building materials supplier with activities in the United Kingdom, Ireland and Belgium.

Isero, the leading specialist distributor of tools and fixings which trades from 38 branches in The Netherlands and online sales. Isero offers high service and deep product expertise. The company operates under four brand names: Gerritse IJzerwaren, Breur Ceintuurbaan, Van der Winkel and Pijnenburg. Isero has realised sales of circa €89 million in 2014.

During H2’s period of ownership, Isero doubled in size via the opening of new branchesand a number of selective add-on acquisitions. The company has transformed from a family owned, medium-sized business into a market leading player with strong management and best-in-class systems and processes. Isero and its new owner are planning to continue the current successful growth strategy based on the same unparalleled high service to Isero’s customers.

H2 was advised by ABN AMRO as corporate finance advisor. Houthoff Buruma acted as legal advisor and Deloitte acted as financial and tax advisor.

Awaiting completion of the usual condition of co-decision procedures, it is expected that the transaction will close before the year end.

 

 

Terry Musson

The Amberon Group is a market leading traffic management provider to the utilities and Local Authority markets. Amberon was established in May 2002 with our first depot in Paignton, South West England. Our founding core principles remain at the heart of everything that we do and our continued desire to achieve our purpose; to provide the best service in the Traffic Management sector. This has been the foundation for our success and has cemented our position as the market leader in TM.

During the initial transaction we never felt under any pressure & instantly recognised we would become part of the family. H2 took the time to listen to our views & business strategy, it was obvious from the very beginning that they would be the perfect partner for us.

The guys at H2 have enabled us to continue the momentum & have provided the expertise & knowledge to help us continue on the journey to constantly improve our service offering.

Working with H2 during the last 2 years has given us additional support not just financially but the advice & expertise has helped analytically & strategically.

The ambition and the drive H2 have is extremely infectious & continues to assist the group to overachieve.

It’s enormously reassuring to know H2 will always be at the end of the phone to offer advice but heartening to know they have the trust in us to deliver.