Award-winning Kent based sustainable workplace supplier acquires London rival

A Kent based nationwide office supplies business has acquired a rival as part of ambitious expansion plans. Global Office Supplies, headquartered in Dartford, bought out London based DC Direct for an undisclosed sum.

Top 10 accountancy firm Azets advised award-winning Global Office Supplies, which has seven depots nationwide, offers 24,000 products and claims to be “the UK’s leading sustainable workplace supplier”.

David Ellis, Azets corporate finance director, based in Kent, advised on all aspects of the deal for Global, including valuation, structure, heads of terms and due diligence, in addition to liaising with Matthew Simmonds of Brachers LLP who provided legal advice to Global.

Global Group MD Michael Girton, who worked for DC Direct before setting up his own business, commented: “I am indebted to David and the Azets team for getting this deal over the line and being there to advise on all aspects of the negotiations.

“Global Office Supplies has grown from a small, family-run business to the major player you see today, but our ethos remains exactly the same: to help offices become more eco-friendly working environments. This was Global Group’s second acquisition and we really wanted to join forces to give clients an even better offering of services and expertise. “

Azets, the UK’s largest regional accountancy and specialist business advisor to SMEs, has Kent offices in Maidstone, Ashford, Canterbury, Sandwich and Orpington. The London and South East Corporate Finance division continues to grow, with new hires joining in the first quarter of this year.

David added: “It is good to see go-ahead businesses such as Global Office Supplies expanding and Azets being able to play a role in supporting this growth. It is very much part of our make-up that we like to drill down and get under the skin of clients so we can offer the best possible service and work in a long-term relationship.

“I have been involved in a large number of transactions, typically involving owner managed businesses, private equity institutions and large banking institutions, and have never been busier, with our pipeline work stretching well into 2023.”

David advised on a number of significant deals in 2022, including insurance products specialist iprism’s acquisition of underwriting agency Metier Trading, the sale of Agwood Ltd to RW Crawford Agricultural Machinery Ltd and the sale of critical systems specialist Adelard to global cyber security experts NCC Group.

By Matthew Neville – Senior Correspondent, Bdaily

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