Backing puts Bezier on the buying trail

Wakefield-based Bezier, one of Britain’s biggest providers of integrated point of sale marketing services, and HIG Europe, the European arm of global private equity firm HIG Capital, have agreed the terms of a management-led buyout of the company. In a statement issued last night, Bezier said: “The transaction strengthens Bezier’s balance sheet and provides the company with a secure financial base from which to execute its strategy.”

Around 400 of Bezier’s staff are based in Wakefield and Leeds.

It achieved turnover of £102m in the last financial year.

Bezier’s management team will continue to be led by Trevor O’Reilly as chief executive.

Mr O’Reilly said: “Until today the company has been carrying too much debt, but now with such a strong balance sheet and a financial backer with the firepower of HIG Europe we will be able to reach our full potential.”

Under the new agreement, the level of debt has been significantly reduced. HIG Europe has also committed further capital to help the business grow both organically and through acquisi- tions.

Mr O’Reilly added: “We have made significant progress over the past 18 months, implementing a new and innovative strategy for the business that puts our clients at the centre of everything we do.”