Sidley advised H.I.G. Capital and one of its portfolio companies, Vernacare, on the acquisition of the Infection Prevention business from Frontier Medical Group (who are backed by Kester Capital). Infection Prevention includes the brands Sharpsafe®, Clinisafe®, and eXchange™. The acquired businesses are industry leaders in the infection prevention market providing an extensive range of sharps and clinical waste disposal solutions. With a customer base across the UK and Europe, the business operates from its site in Blackwood, Wales.
The Sidley team in London was led by Private Equity partner Fatema Orjela, associate Peter Mabe and trainee Jessica Edwards (Private Equity); and supported by partner Jason Menzies and associate Laurence Wilcock (Tax); partner Marie Manley and associate Zina Chatzidimitriadou (Food, Drug and Medical Device Regulatory); counsel Jade Williams-Adedeji and associate Jack Mayall (Real Estate); senior associate Peter McCorkell and associate Chris Morgan (Labor, Employment and Immigration); senior associates Francesca Blythe and Vishnu Shankar and associate Jasmine Agyekum (Privacy and Cybersecurity); and senior associate Samantha Cumming (Compliance – White Collar).
Established in 1964, Vernacare is an industry-leading manufacturer of infection control systems. It has pioneered disposable toileting systems globally, offering patients hygienic care and provides healthcare institutions with efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally sound toileting and bathing solutions. With sales in over 60 countries, the business employs over 250 people across its UK headquarters in Chorley, its manufacturing plant in Bolton and its Canadian base in Toronto.
H.I.G. is a leading global private equity and alternative assets investment firm with over €34 billion of equity capital under management. Based in Miami, and with offices in New York, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Atlanta in the U.S., as well as international affiliate offices in London, Hamburg, Madrid, Milan, Paris, Bogotá, Rio de Janeiro, and São Paulo.
Award-winning corporate finance boutique Cavu Corporate Finance also advised H.I.G. Capital and Vernacare on this transaction.
James Mitchell, Principal at H.I.G. Capital, commented on the transaction, “The Frontier Infection Prevention business containing the Sharpsafe®, Clinisafe®, and eXchange™ brands is a growing industry leader in the manufacture and supply of products that contain and dispose of infectious material safely – critical systems in protecting the Healthcare workforce and limiting the spread of infection. H.I.G. is looking forward to working with Frontier Medical’s Infection Prevention business which is highly complementary to Vernacare’s existing presence in the clinical Infection Prevention sector.”
James Steele, Chief Executive of Vernacare, said, “Frontier’s Infection Prevention business and Vernacare fit very well together with a common focus on best practice within Infection Prevention, and together, will be even better placed to help improve Infection Prevention standards within UK and overseas healthcare systems.”
Shawn Bone, Managing Director of Cavu Corporate Finance, said, “Following shortly after advising H.I.G. Capital on the acquisition of Vernacare from Palatine Private Equity in February, Cavu is delighted to have advised H.I.G. and Vernacare on this strategic acquisition that will expand Vernacare’s operations both domestically and internationally.”
Fatema Orjela, Partner of Sidley Austin, said, “We are delighted to have advised H.I.G. Capital and Vernacare on this important strategic acquisition and to have supported Vernacare’s continued growth within the Infection Prevention sector using the cross-practice breadth of services that Sidley has to offer.”
