Pinsent Masons has advised the shareholders of Equator Design (Equator) on the £33 million sale of the company to NASDAQ-listed Matthews International Corporation (Matthews).

Equator is a design agency specialising in grocery retail and consumer packaging brands with the rare capability to take brands from creation to shelf under one roof with one team.

Matthews International Corporation is a global provider of brand solutions, memorialization products and industrial automation solutions.

The Pinsent Masons team was lead by Corporate Partner Joanne Ellis and Senior Associate Alasdair Weir who were supported by Associate Victoria Jew.

Commenting on the transaction, Joanne Ellis said:

"The deal is a significant achievement for the shareholders realising the value they have built up in Equator and in doing so finding a home for the business within a leading, global brand solutions provider.  The acquisition is a good strategic fit for Matthews. This transaction also demonstrates the strength of cross-border M&A despite current macro-economic uncertainty."      

Equator has three locations, including its headquarters, in the United Kingdom, one in Chicago and one in Dublin, and employs approximately 255 people across its sites.  Equator will sit within the SGK Brand Solutions division of Matthews.