Initially, we were instructed to assist with real estate due diligence across multiple European jurisdictions, where the buyer required a detailed understanding of Portakabin’s property portfolio. Slaughter and May, the lead corporate advisers, trusted us to provide local expertise in areas where they lacked a European presence.

Our first step was to identify key real estate partners across our offices and trusted networks. We could quickly cover jurisdictions such as Ireland, Scotland, France, and Germany, and we utilised our Global Connect network of ‘best friend’ firms to cover Belgium and Luxembourg, ensuring that our client received full-service advice from the outset. For the Netherlands, we leveraged the expertise of a Dutch-qualified lawyer based in our Singapore office, showcasing our ability to adapt resources globally.

As the deal progressed, the scope expanded significantly and we were subsequently asked to advise on health and safety, compliance, and standard terms and conditions across Europe. This required us to assemble a wider team of 17 specialists from offices in Leeds, London, Glasgow, Dublin, Paris, Berlin, Munich, and Singapore. Our ability to scale up resources quickly ensured that the client received seamless and targeted support across all workstreams.

The transaction also involved significant collaboration with Slaughter and May, as we worked closely to prepare vendor due diligence reports and respond to buyer queries. Our proactive approach helped resolve potential issues before they arose.

The sale represented a significant milestone for SBG, transitioning their business to new ownership while ensuring the smooth continuation of operations across Europe.

Our teams worked in collaboration with Slaughter and May and Belgian firm AKD to coordinate advice and support across the eight jurisdictions and ensure that all transactional requirements were met on schedule ahead of closing in June 2024. 

As a result, the French investor has acquired a highly trusted and iconic brand with a strong pan-European footprint. This transaction highlights the increasing importance of modular construction in meeting modern infrastructure demands and reflects the growing interest in sustainable, adaptable building solutions.