Top 100 law firm Birketts advised the shareholders of the AWL Group on its purchase of ICS Robotics and Automation Ltd, a robotic welding and automation specialist based in the UK. ICS will continue to operate under its own name and with its current management team as an independent entity within the AWL Group. The deal value was not disclosed.
ICS has been in the business of robotic welding and automation since 1989 and has customers from a wide range of industries including automotive, agricultural, medical and general manufacturing throughout the UK and Ireland.
Birketts advised on all legal matters and the team was led by Andrew Wood (Head of Birketts’ Anglo Dutch desk) and Ed Savory (Corporate).
Speaking on the deal, Andrew Wood said: “I head the Anglo-Dutch desk having been with Birketts since January 2011. I am the Honorary Dutch Consul for the East of England, a director of the Netherland British Chamber of Commerce (bilateral trade organisation based in the Hague and London) and have worked mainly for Dutch companies operating in the UK for the past 30 years. The client was referred by one of my trade contacts in the Netherlands with whom I work regularly.
“I am delighted that we have been able to assist a major Dutch player in the robotic and automobile sector confirm their presence in the UK and strengthen their European Market share and look forward to watching their progress. We are seeing a number of Dutch companies who are now considering their priorities in the UK”.
