A Switzerland-based performance brand is to acquire iconic UK sailing and lifestyle
brand Henri-Lloyd Group.
A team at north west law firm Taylors Solicitors has advised the owners of Henri-
Lloyd on the sale to ODLO, a specialist sport and outdoor clothing brand which is
owned by Monta Rosa Capital.
The acquisition, for a substantial undisclosed sum, is expected to be completed
shortly.
Taylors’ team of advisers was led by corporate partners Andrew Livesey and
Matthew Catterall and the firm’s head of commercial property, partner John Lomax.
Andrew said: “Henri-Lloyd is an iconic British brand, and we are delighted to have
been able to work with the business over the past few years, culminating in the
current deal with ODLO.
“It is a pleasure and a privilege to be associated with such a dynamic business and
team of individuals, and a brand that is instantly recognised worldwide. This was a
particularly pressurised deal, with a substantial amount of detail to be dealt with in a
short timescale.
“There were plenty of early starts and late finishes, with all of the professional team
fully focused on the task in hand.”
Taylors advised Henri-Lloyd when it last changed hands in 2018, when the brand
and valuable assets were acquired out of administration by a group of investors led
by Hans Eckerström with the aim of re-establishing the company as the premier
brand for yachtsmen and sailors around the world.
Henri-Lloyd was established in Manchester in 1963 and has 85 staff in its UK retail
business.
Hans Eckerström, chairman of Henri-Lloyd, said: “The acquisition of Henri-Lloyd by
ODLO opens up tremendous opportunities for the brand to reach its true potential to
the benefit of all shareholders, both current and future.
“Joining a family of successful companies that share values and goals will accelerate
our growth. Most importantly that journey will be based on quality, innovation and
striving for sustainability – principles that the Henri-Lloyd team hold dearly.”
Henri-Lloyd was founded by Henri Strzelecki, who set out to create the world’s best
and most durable waterproof clothing. He created several world-firsts within technical
clothing that have today become industry standards, including seam taping garments
for waterproofing and the invention of the nylon non-corrosive zip.
The Henri-Lloyd team will continue to be located in Manchester, and will collaborate
with the ODLO group in the development of the brand and a new generation of
innovative products.
ODLO chairman Hugo Maurstad said: “We are excited about including Henri-Lloyd
into our family of brands. It is an iconic brand with a proud history. Together we
aspire to further expand its product range and geographic footprint.
“Henri-Lloyd and ODLO are both companies that originated from technical
innovations in outdoor sport apparel and they will complement each other going
forward.”
ODLO chief executive Knut Are Høgberg said: “By leveraging ODLO’s
comprehensive infrastructure, we can concentrate investments towards the Henri-
Lloyd brand and its customers while progressing on the ambitious sustainability
agenda of all brands within ODLO International.
“We warmly welcome the Henri-Lloyd team to the ODLO family and look forward to
working together going forward.”
