PwC stamps its mark on £125m acquisition of East Kilbride firm

Worldmark is a leading supplier of high performance labels and overlays and related products to leading brand owners in the global consumer electronics industry.

Operating in twelve countries and with 1,900 employees, Worldmark is forecast to deliver sales of £105m in the current year.

CCL, who have acquired the business, are a world leader in speciality label and packaging solutions for global corporations.

Cara Haffey, corporate finance partner and head of industrial manufacturing for PwC, said: “We are delighted to have supported Equistone and the Worldmark management team on this important transaction. As a world leader in its market the business received strong interest from a range of international players and the fit with CCL is compelling.

“This is the latest in a string of transactions completed by the industrial manufacturing team in the Midlands, helping private businesses sustain continued growth.”

Bill Graham, CEO of Worldmark said: “I am confident CCL will provide a very good home for our business and our people, providing investment for continued growth and opportunities for career development within the much larger corporate environment CCL will provide.”

Geoffrey T Martin, president and chief executive officer of CCL said: “We have admired Worldmark for many years as they built a unique, leading global position in the technology sector and are very excited to welcome their management team and employees to CCL where they will continue to focus on this fast moving industry.”

Paul Harper, partner at Equistone said: “We are proud to have supported Worldmark over a number of years and to have exited to CCL, who provide a great long term home for the business. This was a complex global transaction, efficiently executed by the team of PwC, who expertly managed the process whilst leveraging their global network.”

Eversheds LLP provided legal advice to the Worldmark shareholders with a team led by private equity partner James Trevis with corporate partner Antony Walsh.