Slaughter and May is advising Hunter Douglas N.V., a major manufacturer of window coverings and architectural products, on its £300 million acquisition of Hillarys, a UK retailer of blinds, curtains and carpets with significant expertise in in-home sales, from Ares Capital Corporation. The existing management team, led by CEO John Risman, will remain with the business.
Founded by Henry Sonnenberg in 1919, Hunter Douglas now has 50 manufacturing and 80 assembly operations in more than 100 countries, employing about 21,000 people and generating sales of $2.8 billion.
With sales of £185 million, Hillarys supplies made-to-measure window coverings through a network of self-employed sales advisers, and has nearly 1,300 staff across its assembly facilities and offices in England.
The sellers and management were advised by DLA Piper (Tim Wright).