How we can help
Dipping your toe in international waters? Working alongside you, we use our experience and networks to help you plan and carry out your overseas strategy.
Expanding internationally, you might need our support in several ways. If you’re opening offices abroad, we can help at an operational level.
If you want to find a sales team in a new market, we can use local contacts to source the best people. Maybe you have regulatory concerns, or need bringing up to speed on employment rights. Whatever support you need in different countries, our local knowledge and trusted relationships can make a big difference to the successful internationalisation of your business.
Also, our International Advisory Board, with a wealth of experience, knowledge and networks across a variety of sectors, is ready to help with the internationalisation strategies of companies we invest in.
Who we’ve helped
With Hawksford, we supported management in identifying, evaluating and completing acquisitions to increase the company’s international presence. To date, the business has acquired five companies – in Jersey, the Middle East and the Far East – and opened an office in Hong Kong. It serves clients in more than 20 countries.
We helped WFEL expand its international sales by nearly 70%, working with the business to identify and win important new contracts in markets as diverse as Switzerland, Turkey and Indonesia. WFEL went on to attract the interest of an international trade buyer.
Just before our investment in March 2015, Blackrock had opened an office in Dubai. With our support, this has contributed to total overseas sales in the Middle East, with new markets established in the region including Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Iraq. By 2016, Blackrock’s international sales accounted for £22.8 million out of a total of £25.7 million, representing international sales growth of 221% since 2014. In April 2017, the company received The Queen’s Award for Enterprise in the International Trade Category.
Since our investment in Kee Safety, we’ve worked with the business on eleven acquisitions, enlarging its international presence. Sales have increased accordingly: between 2010 and 2015, the company saw sales growth of more than 100%.
“Exporting for the first time, or expanding existing exporting activities, can be challenging for a fast-growing, still formative business. The prize for those that succeed is significant – and attainable for those with the right support.”
Nicol Fraser, Partner, Dunedin
Nicol Fraser, Partner, Dunedin
Globally networked
Local intelligence and good working relationships are vital to the successful internationalisation of any business. Which is why we became a founder member of The Alliance for Global Growth, a global network of ambitious mid-market private equity firms and the first of its kind to span Europe and North America. Future plans include establishing relationships with new members in Eastern Europe, Asia and South America.
The companies we invest in benefit significantly from the international perspective of the Alliance, and its broad network. Not only does it support growth during the investment period, it also increases opportunities for sale to international buyers at the point of exit.
The Alliance has already added value in numerous areas, including strategic introductions, diligence assistance and advisory recommendations. You can find out more at www.allianceforglobalgrowth.com