We were delighted to announce recently that Ferguson Group had been acquired by Australia’s Brambles Group, for £320m. The sale marks the end of Steven Ferguson’s ownership of the Group and begins a new phase in the growth of the business.

Craig Corporate have supported the transformation of the company since our initial Review of Operations in 1988, at which point the business was a small Aberdeenshire manufacturer turning over c£2m p/a. The Ferguson Group is now a global rental business providing offshore containers, accommodation and workspace, with Turnover in 2013 of £64m, and Profit Before Tax of £20.8m. Major milestones have included the opening of the Group’s operations in Norway, Australia, Singapore and UAE.

Paul Yacoubian currently sits on the board of both Ferguson Group and its holding company, Arden Holdings. Paul’s relationship with Ferguson Group began with our initial review, and has been a key part of the Group’s success. This commitment is a powerful demonstration of our belief in building long term business value and helping our clients to achieve their objectives.

Steven Ferguson said, “As a proprietary standalone business, the Ferguson Group has grown very significantly in recent years and it was becoming clear that in order to maintain this momentum in the current market, new sources of finance and access to skills was required. The time is therefore right for some new owners for the Group, owners with the status and financial muscle of Brambles which will enable the business and the people within it, to continue to flourish and grow as part of a broader listed entity.”