Alantra advised Sofa Brands International (SBI), the UK’s leading branded sofa group on the MBO backed by Promethean Investments

Dec 2014

Sell-side advisory

Alantra has advised Sofa Brands International (SBI), the UK’s leading branded sofa group on the MBO backed by Promethean Investments.

SBI is one of Britain’s most successful furniture manufacturers, designing and crafting some of the best loved sofas and chairs in the country available in more than 600 retail outlets nationwide. The company includes the UK’s top furniture brand Parker Knoll, the group’s fastest growing business, offering classic chairs and sofas. The group is also home to luxury English upholsterer Duresta, a highly successful brand in the UK and internationally, available in over 50 countries; and SBI’s largest business offering G Plan branded collections including the iconic Vintage range.

Promethean Investments led an investor group in providing the equity and debt funding for the transaction, transferring ownership from its previous institutional shareholders. Banking facilities were provided by Santander Corporate Banking, maintaining their successful relationship with the company. Alantra acted for the shareholders and management team of SBI and Europa Partners acted for Promethean Investments.

The group employs 750 professionals and proud craftsmen and women in the UK at its manufacturing sites in Melksham in Wiltshire, Long Eaton in Nottinghamshire and Riddings in Derbyshire. In addition, over 300 highly skilled workers are employed in the group’s wholly owned facility in Alytus, Lithuania.