Other Done Deals

• Washington-based Whiteley Murphy, owners of Orwin which designs and manufactures bespoke assembly systems and processing equipment, has acquired Peerless Systems, a specialist in laboratory automation also based in Washington, for an undisclosed sum
• Lydian Associates, a UK-based provider of Business Intelligence software for the banking sector, has been sold to Temenos, a supplier of packaged banking software. The acquisition price was not revealed.
• Beazley Group Plc, a London-based parent company of specialist insurance businesses with global operations, has completed its acquisition of Momentum Underwriting Management following approval from Lloyd’s and the Financial Services Authority. The terms of the deal were undisclosed.
• Nexus Vehicle Rental has acquired the vehicle rental management arm of FMG Support for an undisclosed sum. The acquisition of the FMG Support entity expands Nexus’ client base and complements its services in the vehicle rental space.
• Spanish retailer Topland has agreed the purchase of a 15-strong retail portfolio from rival business Eroski. Topland has paid €361m (£289 million) for the portfolio, comprising 13 hypermarkets and two shopping centres.
• AMEC Plc, an international engineering and project management company, has acquired OEST Associates Inc, a US engineering and architecture services business, from its owner-manager for a total of £5.9 million.
• Private equity business Carlyle has bought Gardner Group, a Nuneaton-based manufacturer and supplier of components to the global aviation industry. The deal is the first to be funded from Carlyle’s new €530 million second European technology fund, although no figures were provided.
• The business and assets of Midlands estate agency Cornerstone The Midlands, which trades under the Burchell Edwards Estate Agents banner, have been acquired by new company Burchell Edwards Midlands for an undisclosed sum.

Deals in the pipeline

• Tiscali has confirmed it is in talks with BSkyB regarding the sale of its UK business. BSkyB is believed to be close to agreeing a £450 million payout for Tiscali’s UK operations
• Chesterfield-based engineering firm Krantech Holdings is acquiring two Sheffield firms with £50,000 backing from UK Steel Enterprise