Freeths advises The Reflex Group on its latest acquisition of Macfarlane Labels Limited

The Freeths Corporate team led by John Heaphy and Elliot Ruffle has advised The Reflex Group Limited (“Reflex”) on its latest acquisition of Scottish company Macfarlane Labels Limited and its subsidiaries in Sweden and the Republic of Ireland.

Now operating out of 20 sites across the UK and supplying globally, Reflex is the UK's largest label producer. As well as producing labels, Reflex has brands which offer a wide range of solutions for packaging, digital print, creative design and artwork, labelling equipment, as well as a range of sustainable packaging. The Ayrshire headquartered printing firm which employs over 100 people and has an annual turnover of more than £15mn is the latest company to join the Reflex Group as Reflex continues to expand and be acquisitive. Elliot Ruffle said “We were delighted to work with Ian, Gary and the Reflex team once again as they continue to make strategic acquisitions, which on this occasion sees them expand their international footprint in to Sweden and Ireland. Cross-jurisdictional deals always have an added level of complexity but luckily the Reflex team have a great sense of commerciality which made our jobs as lawyers much simpler.” John Heaphy added:

“This year will be the twentieth anniversary of the formation of the Reflex Group which is quite scary as it only seems like yesterday.  Since then we have helped Reflex complete over 25 acquisitions and 5 re-financings.  There have been many ups and downs and trials and tribulations along the way but it has been a remarkable journey.  When you consider that the original MBI company's turnover was £2 million and now Reflex is the UK's largest label producer with sales of over £150 million that is an incredible achievement.  This has been done against the backdrop of Ian Kendall's ambition to be the “world's most sustainable packaging company”.  It shows that in business it doesn't always have to be about the “money, money, money” although of course Reflex is also very profitable which is important as it needs to make sure it can carry on paying its 800 plus employees. Not bad for a working class lad from Nottingham.”

Burness Paull LLP in Scotland, DWF Group and HBMO Solicitors LLP in Ireland and Magnusson Law in Sweden assisted Freeths and Reflex throughout the deal.