Posted: 20/05/2022
Penningtons Manches Cooper has advised Customs Support Group, the leading digital partner for customs declarations in Europe, on the acquisition of Osborn Customs Services Limited and KSI Portlink Limited as it expands its UK presence.
Headquartered in the Netherlands, Customs Support Group is Europe’s leading independent digital provider of customs services employing more than 1,100 dedicated customs professionals serving over 12,000 customers annually.
Through these latest acquisitions, Customs Support has significantly strengthened their local presence in the UK, enhancing their offering with offices close by clients in the most important logistics hotspots.
Osborn Customs Services provides customs clearance services at all major UK ports and has become one of the go-to companies in the customs industry. In 2017 the company achieved Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) status, which underlined their premier status as a customs clearance agent.
KSI Portlink perform customs clearance at Dover and all other UK container ports.
The team advising Customs Support on their acquisition of Osborn Customs Services was led by corporate partners Adam McGiveron and Emma Bryant, and included support from commercial partner Oliver Kidd, real estate partner Peter McElligott and employment senior associate Charissa Upton. Orbis Partners provided corporate finance advice led by Gary Ecob, Peter Waplington and Liam Hadfield, and Crowe UK, led by Chasz Coulsting, provided financial due diligence.
The team advising Customs Support on their acquisition of KSI Portlink was also led by corporate partners Adam McGiveron and Emma Bryant, and included support from commercial partner Oliver Kidd, corporate tax partner Kathy Hills, corporate tax associate Leonie Langley and employment senior associate Charissa Upton.
Frank Weermeijer, CEO of Customs Support Group said: “With Osborn Customs Services and KSI Portlink joining the Customs Support family we are further expanding our presence in logistical hotspots, enabling us to be in closer proximity to our clients as well as expanding the range of customs services we provide across the United Kingdom. In addition, the acquisition of Osborn Customs Services and KSI Portlink brings in broad customs knowledge, accuracy and expertise in customs clearance and digital knowledge.”
He continued: “We valued the expertise offered by Adam, Emma and the rest of the team at Penningtons Manches Cooper. Their specialist advice and commercial awareness has been invaluable in delivering these strategic acquisitions, enabling us to achieve the best outcome for our continued growth.”
Adam McGiveron, corporate partner at Penningtons Manches Cooper said: “We are delighted to have advised Customs Support on their latest acquisitions in the UK, giving them the opportunity to build on their position as leaders in their field for customs declarations in Europe.”
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