Client: United Air Power
Sector: Industrial Services – Compressed Air Systems
Transaction Type: Business Sale to International Strategic Trade Buyer
Corporate Finance Advisors: Logros Advisory Partners
Legal Advisor: Bermans
Overview
United Air Power, a UK-based provider of compressed air systems and energy-saving solutions, was acquired by Ingersoll Rand, one of the global market leaders in the manufacture of air compressors and systems. This strategic acquisition secured a successful exit for founder and majority shareholder, Dave Seenan, and the management team, who held minority shareholdings.
Logros Advisory Partners acted as the exclusive corporate finance advisor, managing the full sale process from preparation through to completion. The deal highlights Logros’s ability to manage complex business sales to international buyers and deliver exceptional value for its clients.
“Selling United Air Power was a big decision for me and it was essential I had the right advisors in my corner to lead the process. Chris and Brian from Logros were outstanding – from their buyer knowledge and management of the marketing process, through the negotiations and ensuring the value was protected through the due diligence process.
— Dave Seenan, Founder, United Air Power
The Challenge
Selling a founder-led business to a global strategic buyer brings layers of complexity. Key challenges included:
- Cross-border M&A Process: Managing the demands of a listed international acquirer with extensive financial, legal, taxation, and compliance due diligence.
- The Sale of a Number of Companies under Common Control: whilst Dave had ultimate control of each of the companies sold, the shareholdings within each company were different.
- Complex Negotiations and Deal Management: A transaction like this has significant commercial sensitivity which was managed throughout from initial marketing through to completion.
- Co-ordinating the Efforts of All Parties: with advisers in the UK, Europe and the US, the deal involved a collaborative approach to meet the transaction deadline.
Our Corporate Finance Approach
Logros’s corporate finance team, led by Chris Evans and Brian Higgins, worked closely with the shareholders to deliver:
- Strategic business sale preparation, including buyer market assessment, financial presentation and understanding the opportunities that could be brought by an acquisition of the target to ensure a strategic valuation would be paid.
- Engagement with multiple trade buyers to create competitive tension
- Deal structuring and negotiation to meet founder and management goals
- Management of the cross-border due diligence process and legal co-ordination
- Ongoing support through key decision points and negotiation stand-offs
- Throughout the process, Logros provided hands-on, partner-delivered guidance. The team’s sector knowledge and general deal experience was critical at various points through the process.
Results: A Successful Founder Exit, Strategic Acquisition and Legacy Protected
The sale of United Air Power to Ingersoll Rand:
- Delivered successful founder exit after more than 25 years of ownership
- Ensured continuity for the management team under new ownership
- Positioned the business for continued development with the support of a leading global manufacturer
- Protected the legacy and values of the business
This case study illustrates Logros Advisory Partners’ expertise in advising business owners and founders on exits, international M&A processes, and founder succession strategies.
Client Testimonial – David Seenan, Founder
“Selling the business was a huge moment for me personally and professionally. We had built UAP over more than two decades with great people, loyal blue-chip customers, and an exceptional reputation for our services, so finding the right buyer and handling the process with care was vital.
It was also a complex deal, involving not just me but our management team, and working with a major international buyer with advisers in different countries added another layer of pressure. Chris and Brian from Logros were absolutely outstanding throughout. They gave me clarity at every stage, handled the commercial negotiations brilliantly, and provided hands-on support throughout the due diligence, which what was a very demanding process.
There were many moments where their calm, professional approach made all the difference. I genuinely couldn’t have asked for better advisors they exceeded my expectations throughout, managing each stage of the process with knowledge, experience and confidence.”
