Clarke Willmott acts on eco-friendly cleaning deal

National law firm Clarke Willmott LLP has acted on a deal between household cleaning giant HG and a family-run eco-friendly cleaning product manufacturer.  

Netherlands brand HG acquired UK-based Ecozone for an undisclosed sum in a deal led by Clarke Willmott corporate partner Richard Swain, who acted for the selling shareholder Simeon Van der Molen.   

Ecozone, which specialises in cleaning products made using a combination of plant-based and natural ingredients, has a range of over 100 products including cleaning, laundry and dishwashing lines while HG has a cleaning portfolio covering 300 different products sold in supermarkets and DIY outlets across Europe.  

Richard Swain was assisted by solicitor Bryony Warren on the deal. Richard said: “We are delighted to have completed on this deal for Ecozone, a family-run business with a great ethos. I know how much this deal meant to Simeon Van der Molen and we were glad to have guided him through the process.  

“It’s fantastic to help companies like Ecozone, with an important environmental focus, to expand and grow and the deal also aligned with HG’s ambition to become a leading household cleaning brand in Europe through organic growth and acquisitions, while strengthening its environmental credentials.”    

Ecozone owner and CEO Simeon Van der Molen commented: “Together with HG, Ecozone will continue to encourage people to make small lifestyle changes that make a huge difference to the planet.  

“It was important to me to find a new owner with the ability to take the brand to the next level while understanding, appreciating and respecting the brand ethos of Ecozone. HG is the perfect partner who will realize the full ambition I always had for the Ecozone brand. 

“We instructed Richard Swain of Clarke Willmott to represent us on the sale of the company. We found that Richard (and his team) were extremely knowledgeable dealing with all legal aspects of the corporate sale and he understood completely our objective and parameters of what we were prepared to accept.  

“Richard was keen to complete the deal for us and willing to give up his free time to meet the deadline. Richard remained professional and diligent throughout.” 

Clarke Willmott is a national law firm with offices in Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, London, Manchester, Southampton and Taunton.