FAI Automotive plc

finnCap Cavendish, part of financial advisory firm, finnCap Group plc, is pleased to announce it has advised on the sale of FAI Automotive plc (“FAI”), one of the UK’s leading distributors of replacement automotive parts, to Motus, a South Africa headquartered automotive group.

Founded in the 1960s, FAI is an “All Makes” spare parts provider, with a range of over 25 product lines and 30,000 parts numbers, covering 64 vehicle manufacturers, including some of the world’s leading European, Japanese and Korean brands. FAI’s ever-growing export division serves over 60 countries around the world and 50% of company sales are generated from outside of the UK.

Listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, Motus is a diversified business in the automotive sector with a leading position in South Africa. Although the company has some presence in the UK, through its subsidiary Motus Group (UK) Ltd, FAI will be the first UK business it has acquired.

With FAI’s access to the key European aftermarket and ability to trade internationally, the acquisition will enable Motus to further its international growth strategy of increasing its presence in Europe and South East Asia. This includes establishing a distribution center in China to better serve its international client base with more products now sourced from the Far East.

The deal, which was led by James Ellis at finnCap Cavendish, will see Motus acquire 100% of FAI’s share capital.

James Ellis at finnCap Cavendish, commented:

“We are pleased to have advised FAI on this deal, further demonstrating finnCap Cavendish’s international and cross-border deal-making capabilities. FAI’s brand and product range is renowned in the market for high quality, and this deal is a testimony to the ability of leading UK companies such as FAI to attract overseas buyers looking to expand internationally.”

Jonathan Alexander, CEO of FAI, commented:

“The acquisition of FAI by Motus will bring us many synergies, with scope to expand our supply chains and product ranges, as well as the opportunities to enter new markets. Both existing and new customers will benefit from our core aims of best availability, best service, best quality and best price. Our business ethos is so closely aligned with Motus’s that the change of ownership will be seamless, but the benefits will be felt by all.”

Malcolm Perrie, CEO of Motus said:

“I would like to take this opportunity to welcome the FAI family into the Motus family and look forward to exploring all the great initiatives that we have collectively started.”