Mobeus Portfolio Full of Top Ingredients

LONDON, December 7, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

Mobeus Equity Partners ("Mobeus") has sold its longstanding investment in Kent-based Brookerpaks Limited, a supplier and distributor of garlic and other vegetables to UK supermarkets, back to management in a deal that has delivered a 26% IRR over a 10 year period to the Mobeus advised Income & Growth VCT.  The investment generated total returns of nearly £2 million from a £0.5m investment.

Mobeus originally backed the MBO of Brookerpaks from Harrington Food Group in 2002.  Despite Brookerpaks operating in a competitive market and facing pricing pressure from the purchasing power of the multiples, the company has maintained a solid and consistent financial performance throughout the ten year investment period.  It has achieved this by building strong partnerships with garlic growers which ensure that it can achieve year round supply and deliver consistent quality to its customer base.

Brookerpaks joins a long list of recent Mobeus successful exits.  It also marks a third excellent realisation by Mobeus of a food sector investment in recent years, following previous successes with PastaKing and Ministry of Cake.  

John Brandon, Mobeus Portfolio Director, comments: "Not every company can be a global superstar.  Brookerpaks proves, however, that there are solid, salt of the earth SMEs operating across the UK that can deliver very attractive returns for VCT investors.  We are grateful to a strong and talented management team for delivering an excellent performance over the ten year life of the investment. The outlook for the company remains bright and we wish it and the team continued success."  

Issued by Mobeus Equity Partners LLP, of 30 Haymarket, London, SW1Y 4EX, registered in England & Wales number OC 320577, authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority, number 456538. This material is for information only and does not constitute an offer to buy or sell an investment nor does it solicit any such invitation. The information contained in this email is believed to be accurate at the date of publication but no representation or warranty stated or implied is made or given by any person as to its accuracy or completeness and no responsibility or liability is accepted for any such information or opinion.

Mobeus Equity Partners LLP ['Mobeus']

Mobeus is a leading UK VCT Manager with a focus on MBO transactions. Mobeus advises four Income & Growth VCTs with approximately £150 million Funds under Management.

Its recent transactions are:-

                   Investment
 
         Deal        (GBPm)                 Business/Location
 
    Tessella              5.6    Technology based consultancy          Abingdon
                                 services                                  EMaC                  6.0    Service plans for the motor trade     Crewe

    Equip Outdoor         4.5    Branded outdoor equipment and
    Technologies                 clothing                              Alfreton
 
    Motorclean            6.0    Vehicle cleaning and valet services   Basildon

                  Cost  Proceeds
 
        Exit     (GBPm)  (GBPm)       Business/Buyer           Location
 
      Camwood       0.5      2.0 IT services   Management      London

      Iglu.com      4.3     11.1 Online ski    Growth          London
                                 and cruise    Capital
                                 travel agent  Partners
   
      DiGiCo        4.6     20.5 Manufacturer  Isis            Chessington, Surrey
                                 of digital
                                 sound mixing
                                 consoles    
  
      AppDNA        0.5     16.0 Application   Citrix          London
                                 management
                                 software      

    Original        1.0      4.2 Manufacturer  LDC             Hayes, Middlesex
    Additions                    of beauty
                                 products     

For more information, visit http://www.mobeusequity.co.uk

For further information please contact:

Laura Marsh - +44-(0)20-7024-7617