Luxury English motorboat manufacturer Fairline has been bought for a price understood to be around £35 million by turnaround specialists Better Capital Ltd and RBS.
Fairline is represented in Ireland by BJ Marine. Fairline is a leading global brand specialising in the design, engineering, manufacture and distribution of luxury boats in the range of 38 to 80 feet. It sells its boats through an extensive independent dealer network in 69 locations worldwide and is headquartered in Oundle, Northamptonshire.
Better Capital Limited has announced that a company wholly owned by BECAP Fund LP, has reached a formal agreement with the Royal Bank of Scotland Plc ("RBS"), to acquire a majority stake in Masco 30 Limited, a new company set up solely for the purpose of acquiring 100% of the share capital of Fairline Boats Acquisition Limited and its subsidiaries.Under the agreement, West Register (Investments) Limited, a company wholly owned by RBS, will acquire a minority stake in Masco 30 Limited.
BECAP and RBS have committed £16.6 million and £3.9 million respectively to finance the transaction and to fund restructuring and working capital requirements.
Nick Sanders, a member of Better Capital LLP, will join the Fairline Group board as Chairman.
On announcing the acquisition, Derek Carter, CEO of Fairline said: 'This investment will allow us to focus on three core elements paramount to our continuing success as a UK manufacturing business, being new product development, the implementation of new build technologies and the support of further growth in burgeoning overseas markets.'
'The investment allows our three-year model launch plan to be set in motion which includes the completion of our much awaited flagship, the Fairline Squadron 80.'
