RSM UK advises on global sale of custodial specialist business

RSM UK has advised custodial specialist Newcastle Joinery Limited (NJL) on its sale to KWC Group.

York-based NJL is a leading provider to the custodial and secure accommodation sector, designing safe and secure furniture and equipment for custodial and healthcare environments including prisons, police forces, young offender institutions and mental health trusts across the UK. NJL designed the first range of Safer Cell Furniture in 2001, with the company evolving to more recently create the award winning in-cell shower pods which are fitted retrospectively.

Founded in 1874 in Switzerland, KWC Group is a specialised system and solution provider for sanitary facility equipment and intelligent water management systems. The group operates in the UK, Europe and the United Arab Emirates.  

As part of the acquisition, NJL’s CEO and founder Jamie Greenwood will remain in the business to work alongside KWC Group’s senior leadership team to support the next phase of growth.  

RSM’s deal services team provided sell-side advice on the deal, led by corporate finance partner Steve Hubbard, with support from corporate finance associate director Rich Winter and tax partner Steve Brown. Tom Pollard and Liam Stubbs of Ward Hadaway provided legal advice. 

Steve Hubbard, corporate finance partner at RSM, said: “With UK prisons currently facing significant overcrowding challenges, this transaction will bolster the provision of safe and secure solutions by bringing together two closely aligned businesses. I am confident that NJL and KWC Group will continue to grow as they benefit from the combined experience, expertise and exposure to markets in the UK and overseas.” 

Jamie Greenwood, founder and CEO of Newcastle Joinery Limited, said: “This merger will give our already well-known products and services significantly greater marketing leverage and enable us to further develop fast-growing markets. With the backing of KWC Group, we have more scope to offer customers greater in-house services in the UK and further afield. Utilising our new location in York, we can continue to leverage our homegrown expertise to foster relationships with existing and new markets.”