Bristol-headquartered law firm TLT has advised Somerset mineral resources company Francis Flower on its acquisition of a plant making Scunthorpe Ground Granulated Blastfurnace Slag (GGBS) – an environmentally friendly product used in cement.
Francis Flower bought the business, based at the Tata steel works in Scunthorpe, from Hanson Cement for an undisclosed amount. It is capable of producing more than half a million tonnes of GGBS - a by-product of the steel industry – every year and supplies customers in the Midlands and North of England. 
GGBS, an environmentally friendly, low CO2 product, can replace more than 70% of the Portland Cement content in ready-mix and pre-cast concrete.
Its manufacture requires less than 20% of the energy and produces less than 10% of the CO2 emissions compared to Portland Cement production. It also eliminates the need for mineral extraction and landfill delivering sustainable environmental solutions for the future.
The acquisition followed a competitive bidding process arising from a study by the Competition and Markets Authority into the British aggregates and related markets.
The TLT team was led by corporate partner Andrew Webber and included banking partner, Jon Stewart; corporate associate, Antonia Silvestri; commercial associate, Sean Wright; real estate associate Edward Pitt; real estate partner Katherine Evans, as well as wider support from the firm’s real estate, energy & renewables, employment, competition and pensions teams.
Andrew Webber, pictured, said: “This deal marks the exciting next stage for Francis Flower and its ambitious growth. The acquisition of the plant and its product complements Francis Flower’s offering and enhances its position as a leading specialist supplier in the construction industry.
“A deal such as this always has its challenges, but to work with a long-standing client on such a transformational deal as part of a large, specialist team was a great experience and we’re delighted to have played a part.”
Francis Flower chairman and CEO, Adrian Willmott, said: “Andrew and all the team at TLT have worked tirelessly alongside us in completing this transaction that was by no means straight forward. Their wide spectrum of advice has certainly helped us get across the line in what is a hugely transformational deal for us.”
TLT has particular expertise in aggregates and building products. The firm is an associate member of the Mineral Products Association, which is also a client, and regularly advises members on new legislation, compliance and regulatory issues.
As well as its Bristol head office it has bases in London, Manchester, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Belfast, along with a specialist ship finance team in Piraeus, Greece. The firm has more than 100 partners and employs around 900 people.
