Forward Corporate Finance has acted as lead adviser on the sale of Landguard Engineering, a specialist steel fabrication company based in Harwich, Essex, to Danish-headquartered Northern Industries Group.
Founded in 2013, Landguard Engineering provides end-to-end steel fabrication services, including in-house design with 3D modelling and CFD analysis, workshop fabrication, and the production of custom acoustic enclosures, explosion-controlled containers, and ventilation attenuation systems.
The acquisition expands Northern Industries Group’s engineering and manufacturing presence, complementing its existing portfolio of businesses including the Steelway Family, CEL Sheet Metal, and JHT Engineering.
Forward Corporate Finance, led by Rob Dukelow-Smith and Ollie Geddes-Smith, guided Landguard through the entire process, from pre-marketing preparation and identifying potential buyers, to negotiation, due diligence, and completion.
Peter Wilson, former chair of Landguard, said: “Since I started the business with my great friend Andy March, our intention was to provide local jobs for young people in Harwich. In Northern Industries, Rob and Ollie have found the right business to take Landguard to its next stage of development. I cannot thank Rob enough for his unwavering commitment to finding a way to get the sale completed, and both Hannah and I are delighted with the outcome.”
Rob Dukelow-Smith added: “It was a pleasure working with Peter, Hannah and the management team at Landguard, including Alf Hardes and Peter Etherden, on the sale to Northern Industries. The business has an excellent reputation, an enviable customer base, and a highly capable team with a unique set of skills in the steel fabrication market. This transaction provides a great outcome for everyone involved, and we wish the team at Landguard and Northern Industries every success in the future.”
Legal support for the transaction was provided by Sarah Lewis and Zoe Zhang of Prettys Solicitors.
