National audit, tax, advisory and consulting firm Crowe has advised on three significant, cross-border deals as momentum continues for the firm’s corporate finance team in Kent.
Advising on Cranleigh Freight’s sale to Ninatrans
Crowe’s Kent team advised Cranleigh Freight Services Ltd (CFS), a well-established UK-based specialist in time-critical transport, on its sale to Belgium-headquartered international transport business Ninatrans.
CFS has decades of experience and a well-built reputation in sectors such as motorsports, automotive, aerospace and events. The company employs around 40 people and operates a fleet of approximately 30 vehicles.
The cross-border deal will enable Ninatrans to strengthen its presence in the UK and expand its transport services between Europe and the UK.
Led by Geert Struyven, corporate finance partner and head of valuation services, and supported by Benedict Ng, the team provided sales-side support to the shareholders of CFS. Emma Reynolds provided tax support to CFS and the shareholders.
Advising on Syntium Lifts Parts’ sale to Esse-ti
Crowe’s team also advised Kent-headquartered Syntium Lift Parts (Syntium) on its sale to Italy-based Esse-ti, part of the Innovalift Group.
Syntium, which was founded in 2010, is a leading UK specialist distributor of lift communication products, including autodialler units, evacuation intercom systems and routers with associated SIM card services.
Through the acquisition, Esse-ti will be well-positioned to enhance its position within lift communication solutions in the UK.
The Crowe team, headed up by Geert Struyven and including Harvir Atwal and Andy Perkins, provided sale-side support, while Paul Gittins provided tax services.
Providing VDD services to Percival Aviation Group
The Kent-based team also provided Vendor Due Diligence (VDD) services to Percival Aviation Group (Percival) in the sale of its UK and US subsidiaries to US aerospace group Jet Parts Engineering.
Established in 1978, Percival is a trusted supplier to the aviation industry, specialising in the design, production and maintenance of aircraft interiors and associated equipment. The company is currently implementing a major growth strategy to expand internationally.
Jet Parts Engineering is an aerospace parts and engineering company in Seattle, backed by Los Angeles-based private equity firm Vance Street Capital.
Also led by Geert Struyven, Crowe’s team consisted of David Payne and Harvir Atwa and provided VDD services to Percival ahead of the successful sale to Jet Parts. Emma Reynolds and Charlie Barnett provide tax diligence.
Commenting on the deals, Geert said: “We were pleased to support our clients on these important transactions, each representing a significant milestone in their individual growth journey.
“As we progress through 2025, the mergers and acquisitions landscape in the UK is showing resilience despite ongoing global economic and geopolitical uncertainty.
“It is clear that the UK remains an attractive market for European as well as US buyers seeking to expand their international operations.
“It is an exciting time to be facilitating deals that secure and support the future success and strategic growth ambitions of these companies.”
