Client: Searchlight Capital LLP

Task:

Pragma were recently asked to conduct commercial due diligence by Searchlight Capital LLP on Hunter, the world famous manufacturers and suppliers of wellington boots and accessories.

The focus of the evaluation was the health and sustainability of the Hunter brand in the UK and internationally including studies of the brand's performance in North America and Europe.

What we did:

Pragma conducted an extensive due diligence programme analysing the consumer, the market, distribution channels and the retailer opinions of the brand. This programme helped to provide Searchlight Capital LLP with:

• The key success factors of the brand in the UK and US
• The size of the wellington boot market in all key geographies and the opportunities and challenges Hunter faces in each market
• An understanding of the structure of the markets including the key distribution channels and their potential for expansion
• A detailed analysis of the brands sustainability in the UK and the US and areas of opportunity available

By working with our network of international retail consultancies, Ebeltoft, Pragma was able to provide Searchlight with a localised and in-depth understanding of consumer attitudes towards brands and the likely longevity in each market for Hunter which was key to the investment in the company.

Result:

Searchlight Capital LLP successfully acquired the controlling stake in the company for an undisclosed investment.