Manufacturing Solicitors

Client Intro

We acted for an engineering firm involved in the design and manufacture of specialist equipment for use in highly regulated industries.

Case Overview

We advised the client in a contractual dispute concerning £3.6 million of disputed variations arising from a design and build project. The matter required urgent analysis of the contractual position to support imminent settlement negotiations. This involved reviewing complex technical and commercial arrangements and providing clear, strategic advice on the client’s entitlement. Our input enabled the client to approach negotiations with a well-defined position in a high-value and time-sensitive dispute.

“In high-value engineering disputes, it’s essential to quickly get to the heart of the contractual position. We provided clear, focused advice to support the client at a critical stage in negotiations.” – David Jones, Senior Associate

Client Intro

We acted for a UK and European distributor of specialist products in a dispute with an overseas manufacturer based in Taiwan.

Case Overview

We advised the client in a dispute arising from the termination of a commercial agency relationship, following the manufacturer’s decision to remove a key account.

The client treated this as a repudiatory breach of the agency agreement and terminated the arrangement. We subsequently advised on a claim for damages under the Commercial Agency (Council Directive) Regulations 1993, reflecting the loss of business and future earnings.

The matter has a cross-border element, requiring coordination with counsel and advisers in Taiwan. We have prepared pre-action correspondence and are progressing the claim towards formal proceedings in the Business and Property Courts, including an application for permission to serve the claim outside the jurisdiction. The case involves both complex legal issues under the Regulations and practical challenges associated with international service and enforcement.

“Commercial agency disputes often turn on the impact of termination on future earnings. In this case, we have focused on building a clear and well-supported claim while managing the additional complexity of cross-border proceedings.” – Robert Brothers, Senior Associate

Client Intro

We acted for a manufacturer of specialist products in relation to changes to its UK sales model.

Case Overview

We advised the client on the restructuring of its sales force, which involved the termination of a number of commercial agency arrangements.

A key aspect of our role was assessing the potential claims for compensation that could arise under the Commercial Agents (Council Directive) Regulations 1993, and advising on the client’s exposure across multiple agents. This required careful analysis of the value of each agency relationship and the likely approach to compensation.

We also advised on strategy and settlement terms, supporting the client in negotiating exit arrangements with the agents and preparing the necessary documentation.

Given the number of agents involved and the potential cost of defending claims, it was critical to adopt a coordinated and commercially pragmatic approach. By doing so, the client was able to reach agreed settlements and implement its new sales structure without disruption or litigation.

“In agency terminations, the key is understanding the likely value of claims at an early stage and using that to drive a commercial settlement strategy. That approach allowed our client to restructure efficiently and avoid multiple disputes.” – Robert Brothers, Senior Associate

Client Intro

We acted for shareholders of UAP Group Limited, a Manchester-based manufacturer and distributor of door and window hardware, on the sale of their interests to Allegion plc, a global powerhouse in security products and solutions, through one of its subsidiaries.

Case Overview

We advised on the sale of shareholdings in UAP Group Limited to Allegion plc, supporting our client through a significant transaction involving multiple shareholders and a private equity investor.

The deal involved both initial and deferred consideration, requiring careful negotiation of the commercial terms, particularly around the earn-out and the allocation of value between shareholders. Given the presence of a private equity investor and other minority shareholders, it was important to ensure our client’s interests were independently protected throughout the process. We worked closely with all parties and their advisers to navigate these dynamics and deliver a coordinated transaction.

Our role extended to advising on related matters connected to the sale, ensuring a clean and effective exit for our client.

“This was a complex transaction with multiple stakeholders and competing priorities. Our focus was on protecting our client’s position while helping to deliver a commercially successful outcome.” – Akeel Latif, Partner, Head of Corporate & Commercial

• Defending a Logistics Provider in a Contractual Dispute Over Custom-Built Forklift Trucks
  • Client Intro:
    • Our client provides logistics solutions for a wide range of companies in the industrial and manufacturing sector, including transportation and warehousing solutions.
  • Case Overview:
    • Our client underwent a tender process in which it advertised its need for a new supplier of forklift trucks. Our client’s tender process specified that the forklift trucks to be supplied would need to be custom made to suit our client’s customer’s requirements, including being of an 8-tonne capacity and reaching a height of 9 metres. The forklift trucks were therefore not easily available on the open market.
    • A dispute arose with the supplier who was successful in the tender process and therefore who provided the forklift trucks pursuant to 2 hire agreements entered into between our client and the supplier. The relationship between the parties began to deteriorate when the trucks began breaking down over and above expected levels and also when one of the trucks was irreparably damaged by fire. The supplier alleged that the forklift trucks were excessively and continuously used in breach of the hire agreements entered into and that our client had refused to pay for repairs which were carried out on the trucks and had also refused to pay for the replacement truck which was provided when one of the trucks was damaged by fire. Finally, the supplier also alleged that our client failed to return the forklift trucks when the hire agreements were terminated. The supplier’s claims were heavily contested by our client.
  • Sven Clarke, a dispute resolution expert at Myerson Solicitors said:
    • As contracts are entered into by businesses on a daily basis, unfortunately, contractual disputes are commonplace and can arise in a variety of circumstances. We are experts at dealing with contract disputes and we will provide timely and cost-effective advice tailored to the individual circumstances.
• The sale of a majority shareholding in JTK Automotive Limited provider of online remarketing solutions to the motor industry, to British Car Auctions Limited.
• Acting for Peter Wheeler and his family in the sale of Lancashire-based iconic TVR Engineering Limited to Russian businessman Nikolai Smolenski, dubbed the “Baby Oligarch.”

Delivering Pragmatic Employment Law Solutions for Tata Chemicals Europe

• Client Intro
  • Tata Chemicals Europe is a leading chemical manufacturer based in Northwich, Cheshire, and part of the global Tata Group. The company, which includes British Salt Limited, is one of Europe’s foremost producers of soda ash (sodium carbonate), salt, and sodium bicarbonate. Its products are manufactured across three sites in Cheshire to international quality standards and are used in a wide range of industrial applications, including glass production, food processing, pharmaceuticals, detergents, and animal feed.
• Case Overview
  • Phil Davies, General Counsel and Compliance Director at Tata Chemicals Europe, holds a broad and strategically important role. In addition to leading all legal matters and acting as Company Secretary, he is also responsible for compliance, health and safety, sustainability, landed estates, external communications, and strategic business development.
  • Myerson acts as Tata Chemicals Europe’s external partner for all employment law matters, led by Joanne Evans, Head of Employment. Our firm provides practical, commercial advice across both day-to-day and complex employment issues. Phil values the relationship not only for its responsiveness and clarity, but also for the high calibre of the individuals involved; senior lawyers with major firm experience who deliver the quality expected from a national firm, but with significantly better value.
  • By combining strong technical expertise with accessible, tailored support, Myerson enables Tata Chemicals Europe’s legal and HR teams to manage employment matters confidently, efficiently and cost-effectively.
• Client Quote
  • “I’ve worked with Myerson for many years, primarily on employment matters. I trust them to give me straightforward, pragmatic advice; not just options, but a steer on what to do. That’s what I need as a GC. They’re a credible alternative to larger firms when the balance of cost, quality and responsiveness really matters.” – Phil Davies, General Counsel and Compliance Director, Tata Chemicals Europe

Case Study 1

• Client Intro:
  • A leading analytical and quality control testing company.
• Case Overview: 
  • We assisted our client in securing laboratory premises for a Covid-19 related venture.
  • Our client had particularly bespoke fit out and equipment requirements, which needed to be adapted for and accommodated within the Landlord’s laboratory premises. We also needed to draft a range of protections to ensure our client could operate its machinery without disruption.
  • The project was time sensitive due to the rapidly changing COVID situation and needed to proceed and complete quickly and we provided commercial solutions to the landlord and tenant fit out works and drafted to protect our client’s sensitive machines from interference from other onsite mechanical systems.
  • The lease was completed on target enabling our client to start manufacturing in a very short timescale so as to take advantage of the limited window of opportunity for the venture and to provide much-needed support to the efforts against the pandemic.

Case study 2

• Client Intro:
  • An innovative manufacturer of skincare and haircare products.
• Case Overview:
  • We acted for the client in taking a new lease of a warehousing distribution unit on an industrial estate who were looking to expand their facilities.
  • The unit the client would be occupying was part of a wider development site recently acquired by the landlord, which was still under construction. The transaction was conditional upon the landlord obtaining planning permission for the landlord’s works. Following completion of the landlord’s works, but prior to the lease completion, the client would be allowed early access to the property to carry out their own fitting out works.
  • Because it was a new build site, careful consideration had to be given to how the site was accessed, whether the estate roads had all been adopted and if all service connections had all will be made.  We also had to ensure that the client would be provided with the appropriate warranties for the landlord’s works.
  • Upon completing the lease, the client will also enter into a power purchase agreement. This related to the sale and purchase of electricity generated by the solar panels. The solar panels were located on the roof of the client’s property and owned by a third party.  Our corporate team assisted in negotiating and reporting to the client on the terms of the agreement.

Acting for the seller of a chemical distribution company based in the North funded via an investor.

• The transaction required intensive negotiations of the purchase price calculation and post-completion purchase price adjustment mechanism. The seller was also required to provide all-encompassing restrictive covenants by the buyer to safeguard the value and goodwill of the business.

Successful Sale of Industrial Site in Leeds Amid Complex Title and VAT Challenges

• Client Intro
  
  • Our client is part of a global chemical manufacturing group which specialises in surface treatments. The group operates across multiple continents, delivering specialist fluids and services to a wide range of industries, including automotive, aerospace and manufacturing.
• Case Overview
  
  • Our Commercial Property team acted for our client in connection with the sale of a chemical manufacturing site in Leeds.
  • We worked closely with the group’s in-house legal counsel, operations and finance teams to navigate complex title issues and respond to a broad range of detailed management enquiries raised by the buyer’s solicitors. A key challenge arose due to the departure of individuals with direct knowledge of the site, requiring us to support the client in extracting and compiling relevant information from historical records.
  • We also liaised directly with HMRC on our client's behalf to determine the VAT status of the site - information no longer readily accessible internally, owing to the passage of time since its acquisition.
  • Additionally, we coordinated with our client's property agents to manage the practical aspects of winding down manufacturing operations and overseeing the smooth handover of the site. Despite the complexity of the transaction and the tight timeframe, we successfully achieved completion within six weeks of instruction.

• Case study 1
  • Client Intro:
    • Our client is a manufacturer and trade supplier of concrete products and is based in the North West of England. Our client also produces Aggregate from its quarry which is situated in North Wales.
  • Case Overview:
    • We acted for our client in a dispute which arose after our client purchased the entire issued share capital of another company. There was to be a post-completion adjustment in respect of the purchase monies to be paid and the dispute related to what liabilities were to be included within that adjustment. It was our client’s position that the Share Purchase Agreement needed to be rectified because the Agreement did not reflect what the parties had agreed.
    • We were able to quickly resolve the dispute by negotiating with the other party’s solicitors a Compromise Agreement which provided for the Share Purchase Agreement to be rectified so that it reflected what both parties had agreed.
  • Sven Clarke, a dispute resolution expert at Myerson Solicitors said:
    • Unfortunately disputes can arise in relation to share purchase agreements, particularly in regards to the purchase monies paid or payable on or after completion of the deal. We regularly deal with such disputes and we understand the importance of trying to resolve business disputes quickly and, where possible, without court proceedings being necessary.
• Case study 2
  • Client Intro:
    • Our client is based in the heart of Cheshire and is the manufacturer of high-quality wallcoverings.
  • Case Overview:
    • We acted for our client in regards to a contractual dispute which arose with a warehouse and fulfilment company. Following our client terminating an agreement with the warehouse and fulfilment company, a dispute arose regarding services the warehouse and fulfilment company was contracted to provide even though the agreement had been terminated. Our client sought damages for breach of contract in the event the other party was not willing to recommence performance of its services.
    • We were able to resolve this contractual dispute for our client by agreeing on a settlement agreement with the warehouse and fulfilment company whereby the parties agreed to fulfil their contractual obligations until the contract terminated.
  • Sven Clarke, a dispute resolution expert at Myerson Solicitors said:
    • Given that businesses enter into contracts on a daily basis, contractual disputes can be commonplace. We recognise that contractual disputes can arise in a variety of circumstances and we tailor our approach to ensure that our clients achieve the best possible outcome.

• Acting for a leading manufacturer of energy and data transmission systems in defending a claim against in relation to a lease of equipment.

• Acting for ACE UK in relation to its sourcing of a recycling plant (and related services) from manufacturers in France and its venture with Sonoco for the commercial operation of the plant to recycle beverage cartons.
  We have also advised ACE UK on its joint venture to commercialise/exploit by-products of recycled cartons.

• Steuler Group's Acquisition of Ancorite Surface Protection

  • Client Introduction: The Steuler Group

    • The Steuler Group, a German corporation specialising in industrial linings and environmental and pickling technology acquired approximately 75% of Ancorite Surface Protection, a Cheshire-based firm specialising in floor coatings and surface protection solutions.

    • The strategic move marked a substantial expansion of Steuler Group's presence in the UK and Irish market.

    • Myerson Solicitors played a key role in enabling this acquisition, providing valuable advice and support to Joerg Borkowsky, Kristoffer Weinandy, and the entire Steuler Group team throughout the transaction.

    • Steuler Group's acquisition of Ancorite Surface Protection granted it access to the UK and Irish market, along with new opportunities for growth and expansion in terms of market sectors, products, and services.

    • The strategic move assisted by Myerson's Corporate and Manufacturing lawyers supports Steuler’s global presence and emphasises its status as a global leader in the industry.

• Case Study 1: Progress Jiu Jitsu
  • Case overview:
    • We assisted this North West-based manufacturer and supplier of martial arts equipment with the exit of a shareholder, which included a transfer of shares in multiple corporate entities and putting in place arrangements for the transfer of certain intellectual property registered in both the UK and the US. 
  • Ryan Fletcher, corporate solicitor at Myerson said:
    • The transaction included complex arrangements relating to the transfer of certain assets of the company, settling of loans and the transfer of intellectual property. The intellectual property registered in the US necessitated the involvement of New York-based attorneys to assist with the transaction. It was a pleasure to work with Progress Jiu Jitsu on this transaction and it will no doubt enable the company to continue to grow its offering and customer base.  
• Case study 2
  • Client Intro:
    • Our client manufacturers adhesives and supplies the same throughout the UK and Europe. 
  • Case Overview:
    • We advised our client on the terms of various agreements our client had entered into with several sales agents and what payments would have to be made to the sales agents upon termination of the agreements in accordance with the relevant commercial agents regulations. 
    • Once the agreements had been terminated with the sales agents, we assisted our client in agreeing settlement agreements with each sales agent in order to bring this matter to a close quickly and efficiently. 
• Case study 3
  • Myerson is the leading commercial agency firm outside of London and we have years of experience in advising both principals and commercial agents.  This case demonstrates our experience in advising principals on their likely financial exposure to an agent following termination of a commercial agency relationship. 
  • Client Intro:
    • Our client is a leading Asian food manufacturer and distributor. They specialise in producing authentic Chinese dumplings and sliced meats.
  • Case Overview:
    • The dispute came about when the ex-employee (who was our client’s Marketing Manager) resigned and joined one of our client’s competitors. Our client brought a claim against an ex-employee seeking to enforce several restrictive covenants in the ex-employee’s contract of employment relating to prohibitions on the use or disclosure of confidential information and prohibitions on the ex-employee soliciting our client’s customers and competing with our client. Our client was successful at trial in proving that the ex-employee had retained copies of confidential information belonging to our client.
  • Sven Clarke, a dispute resolution expert at Myerson Solicitors said:
    • We regularly deal with employment disputes concerning post-employment restrictions and confidential information. We act for both employers and employees and we provide an expert and seamless service to provide high-quality legal advice in a cost-effective and timely manner.
• Case study 4
  • Client Intro:
    • Our client is based in the heart of Cheshire and is the manufacturer of high-quality wallcoverings.
  • Case Overview:
    • We acted for our client in regards to a contractual dispute which arose with a warehouse and fulfilment company. Following our client terminating an agreement with the warehouse and fulfilment company, a dispute arose regarding services the warehouse and fulfilment company was contracted to provide even though the agreement had been terminated. Our client sought damages for breach of contract in the event the other party was not willing to recommence performance of its services.
    • We were able to resolve this contractual dispute for our client by agreeing a settlement agreement with the warehouse and fulfilment company whereby the parties agreed to fulfil their contractual obligations until the contract terminated.
  • Sven Clarke, a dispute resolution expert at Myerson Solicitors said:
    • Given that businesses enter into contracts on a daily basis, contractual disputes can be commonplace. We recognise that contractual disputes can arise in a variety of circumstances and we tailor our approach to ensure that our clients achieve the best possible outcome.

• Acting for a thin film vacuum coating company in recovering debts owed to them by their trade customers and in relation to a dispute regarding a pre-contract deposit for the purchase of shares which did not proceed.

• Acting for a Chinese food manufacturer in a claim against an ex-employee relating to infringement of intellectual property rights, misuse of confidential information and breach of restrictive covenants contained in the ex-employee’s employment contract.

• Acting for a pharmaceutical company in a claim against a seller of a business relating to a breach of warranty and misrepresentation

• Acting for an international logistics company in relation to a dispute over the lease and delivery of forklift trucks.

• TÜV Rheinland's Acquisition of D/Gauge
  • Client Introduction: TÜV Rheinland
    • TÜV Rheinland, a recognised worldwide technology firm, sought the expertise of the Myerson Corporate team, led by Senior Associate Ryan Fletcher, in the acquisition of D/Gauge, a renowned UK railway clearance company.
    • TÜV Rheinland, an international leader in technology services, recognised the strategic significance of acquiring D/Gauge.
      The acquisition aimed to expand TÜV's service portfolio in the UK, opening up new synergies and growth opportunities for the entire group.
    • D/Gauge is a market leader in the railway clearance industry, seamlessly interfacing with track maintenance, vehicle design, and railway operations.
    • The successful partnership showcases the expertise of Myerson’s Corporate and Manufacturing lawyers in enabling strategic acquisitions in the Manufacturing sector.