The Bristol offices of corporate finance advisory firm Shaw & Co and law firm Michelmores have helped the owners of a innovative logistics software developer on its sale to a major player in the sector.
Privately-owned Vigo Software has operated in the logistics software market for 40 years, designing, building and implementing software and technology for more than 200 clients in the logistics, haulage, warehouse and pallet network sectors. 
The Bromsgrove-based firm’s sale to Kerridge Commercial Systems (KCS), a market-leading cloud ERP (enterprise resource planning) and business management software provider with more than 34,000 customers worldwide, is expected to create a new force in what has become a dynamic sector.
Vigo also offers real-time driver mobile applications with functionality such as route scheduling and electronic proof of delivery, which complements KCS’ growing suite of logistics and field service solutions.
Dartford-headquartered KCS employs 1,300 people worldwide and also has offices in Europe, the US, Africa, the Nordic countries and Australia from which it serves customers in 76 countries. 
The combined Vigo-KCS business will provide customers with improved stock visibility, capture logistics and operational efficiencies, as well as enhanced client service and communication.
The Michelmores corporate team advising on the deal was led by partner Adam Kean and associate Ben Adams, with specialist tax input from senior associate Anthony Reeves in the firm’s tax team. 
Adam, pictured, has acted for Vigo’s shareholders since the firm’s management buyout in 2016, supporting its strategic growth trajectory and exit.
He said: “It’s been a pleasure working with John and the shareholders of Vigo team throughout this transaction and we wish Vigo the very best success in the future as they work on the long-term development of the business alongside KCS.”
Vigo managing director John Vickers added: “I would like to thank the Michelmores team for helping us successfully navigate our sale to KCS.
“I am delighted to announce that we will be joining forces – our combination represents an opportunity to provide greater value to our customers in terms of accelerating the pace at which we bring innovation and supply chain efficiency enhancing technology to our customers.” 
Shaw & Co partner – M&A Rob Starr, pictured, described the deal as an extremely exciting one for the sector and the perfect outcome for all stakeholders.
“It brings together two highly innovative companies that opens-up adjacent markets, geographies and revenue synergies,” he added.
“Thanks to a dynamic market sector and a management team keen to develop its SaaS platform, Vigo received strong interest from both trade and private equity. There were a number of exciting opportunities, with KCS ultimately presenting the right fit.”
KCS CEO Ian Bendelow said the acquisition, financial details of which have not been disclosed, represented a significant milestone in the firm’s journey to empower businesses to achieve significant improvements in the stocking and shipping of goods to their customers.
“With this acquisition we underscore KCS’ commitment to innovation, best in class industry specific functionality and providing market leading solutions to the logistics market globally,” he added.
Michelmores employs more than 450 people across its offices Bristol, Cheltenham, Exeter and London.
The deal is the latest in a string of transactions in the software sector completed by Shaw & Co the last 18 months including the recent sale of digital working papers provider MyWorkpapers to Bright Software, a leading tax, accounting, finance and payroll software company, the £9m sale of invoice-to-cash software experts Data Interconnect to US-based Blackline; and the £24m sale of The Safeguarding Company to TES (Times Educational Supplement).
