TLT has advised long-standing client Roper Rhodes, a leading independent supplier of bathroom products, on its sale to Svedbergs, the market leader in bathroom furniture in the Nordic region.

Roper Rhodes, a family-owned business for over 40 years, is headquartered in Bath with a further 200,000 sq ft warehouse at Royal Portbury Dock, near Avonmouth.

The acquisition by Svedbergs, listed on the Stockholm exchange since 1962, marks the company’s first entry into the UK. The investment will allow Roper Rhodes to develop its business further with the existing management team remaining in place to ensure the continued commitment to its staff and the local community.

TLT supported Roper Rhodes on the detailed process to identify a suitable investor and prepared the business for sale to maximise shareholder value and ensure a smooth transaction with the overseas trade buyer.

The TLT team was led by partner James Webb with support from head of corporate Andrew Webber, associate Yervand Agobiani and solicitor Joanna Grover. Tax advice was provided by partner Mark Braude.

Paul Roper of Roper Rhodes, says:

“We’re really grateful to TLT for supporting us with this transaction and for working successfully alongside our financial advisers at Deloitte LLP on the process to realise value for our business. The team were incredibly professional and always responsive and we were grateful for their experienced and clear, calm advice throughout a long process.

“This is an exciting step on our journey to grow and develop the business internationally and we believe we’ve found a great partner in Sverdbergs; a company where innovation, vision and craftmanship has taken the company from its beginnings in 1920 to market leader in the Nordic region.”

James Webb, partner at UK law firm TLT, says:

“Our long-standing relationship with Roper Rhodes provided us with great insight into the company’s aims and objectives for what is a key step in their succession plan. This insight, alongside our transaction and consumer sector expertise and use of dedicated project management tools allowed us to expedite the review and execution process and complete the transaction efficiently.

“It was a pleasure to support Mark and Paul as well as the wider management team with this deal, which truly demonstrates how well-managed and prepared businesses with strong brands and values are able to manage supply and demand challenges and attract overseas investment in a significantly busy time for deal-making.”