UK Competition authority clears O2O takeover

The acquisition of Office2Office (O2O) by Evo Business Supplies, a new company set up by UK private equity investor Endless for the purpose of acquiring O2O, has been cleared by the UK Competition and Markets Authority.

It is Endless's stated intention to merge O2O, owner of the print manager Banner Managed Communication, with multi-channel business supplies firm Vasanta to create a £660m-turnover group.

Endless announced its 51p per share cash offer in August. The deal values O2O, which posted a pre-tax profit of £4.2m on sales of £232m last year, at around £19.1m.

The acquisition, which is still subject to the approval of the Irish Competition Authority, is expected to complete by the end of this month.