News and Press
TLT advises Epoch Design on £10million Loewy merger
16 August 2007
TLT has acted for the shareholders of Epoch Design, the Bristol based retail packaging and brand specialist, in its merger with Loewy, the fastest growing branding communication group in the UK. The merged firm has 350 staff and a turnover of £47 million.
The TLT multi-disciplinary team that advised Epoch Design was led by partner Tim Pyper and comprised corporate finance, employment, tax and property specialists. The £10million deal involved helping to negotiate the initial deal, as well as the web of agreements to effect the transfer of Epoch to Loewy and the arrangements for the future running of the business.
Tim Pyper, partner at TLT, comments, "Epoch has been one of TLT's growing entrepreneurial clients for some years. This merger marks a step forward for them as they become part of one of the largest and fastest growing design-focused businesses in Europe. We are pleased to have advised them on this exciting deal. Our job was to make the deal happen while protecting the interests of our clients over the next few years."
TLT has a national reputation for advising on all aspects of retail business, supply chain and retail portfolio management and clients include Somerfield Stores Ltd, First Choice Plc, Topps Tiles Plc, The Peacock Group Plc and Ladbrokes Ltd.
Epoch Managing Director, Anthony Lucas, says: "The deal with Loewy represents an exciting and hugely significant step forward for Epoch, which has grown to become one of the most influential design agencies outside of the capital. TLT has been our legal advisor for many years and so was the natural choice for us in helping to navigate through the complexities of a substantial merger. It was a long process but TLT was very thorough and understanding in its approach. We made the right choice."
Epoch Design was founded in 1993 by Anthony Lucas, Graham Peace and Mark Wildgoose. They were joined in 2000 by David Forman. Clients include Coca-Cola Great Britain, Coca-Cola Enterprises, Unilever Group, Diageo, Oral-B, AkzoNobel, Nokia, Ferrero Rocher and Kickers.
Loewy Consumer Brands made its name with major multinational brand roll-outs and in October 2006 Loewy acquired Williams Murray Hamm, famous for its revolutionary brand revitalisation for household names including Jaffa Cakes and Hovis.
ISSUED - 16 August 2007