AV Danzer acquired by Wernick Group

In September 2021, Wernick Group acquired modular building manufacturer AVDanzer ("Danzer") in a deal advised by CapEQ, adding more than 2,000 cabins and modular bays plus specialist manufacturing capability to Wernick's portfolio. The transaction followed a ten-year succession plan led by former MD Helen Webster.

AVDanzer logo — UK modular building manufacturer and hire firm
Wernick Group logo — UK portable building specialist, acquired AVDanzer in 2021
AVDanzer modular building installation supplied to a UK infrastructure project

Deal at a glance

Target AVDanzer (AV Danzer)
Acquirer Wernick Group
Announcement date
Deal value Undisclosed
Sell-side M&A advisor CapEQ — Director James Pugh
Legal advisor to Danzer shareholders HCR Law
Legal advisor to Wernick Burness Paull
Sector Modular buildings / infrastructure supply chain
Target HQ Manchester, United Kingdom
Target sites Manchester; Langley Mill (Derbyshire); Brentwood (Essex)
Target history 35+ years in the modular buildings industry
Fleet transferred 2,000+ cabins and modular bays
Key people staying on Helen Webster (former MD); Dan Holloway (Director)
Planning horizon ~10 years from succession decision to completion

Overview

Wernick Group — one of the UK's largest portable building specialists — acquired modular manufacturer and hire firm AVDanzer in September 2021. The transaction added specialist manufacturing capability, a fleet of more than 2,000 cabins and modular bays, and additional depot coverage to Wernick's national network.

CapEQ acted as sell-side M&A advisor to the Danzer shareholders, led by James Pugh, Director. Legal advice to the shareholders was provided by HCR Law; Wernick was advised by Burness Paull.

The deal brought together two family-owned businesses with aligned values around product quality, customer service, and operational safety. Post-completion, Danzer has continued to operate from its Manchester and Langley Mill sites under the AVDanzer brand, with former Managing Director Helen Webster and Director Dan Holloway staying on with the business.

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AVDanzer anti-vandal steel modular unit, manufactured at the Langley Mill site

About AVDanzer

AVDanzer (widely known in the market as "Danzer") is a Manchester-based manufacturer and hire firm for high-quality modular and temporary buildings. Across more than 35 years, the business supplied major UK infrastructure programmes including the Hinkley Point nuclear power station and the London Power Tunnels Project, alongside schools, hospitals, laboratories, sports facilities, and offices that needed to scale capacity quickly.

The company operated from Manchester, a manufacturing site at Langley Mill in Derbyshire (specialising in anti-vandal steel buildings), and a depot at Brentwood in Essex.

About Wernick Group

Founded in 1934 and still family-owned, Wernick Group is one of the UK's largest portable building specialists.

Over the past two decades, the group has grown to offer national coverage from 32 depots and divisional offices, serving both public and private sectors with the sale and hire of modular buildings, site accommodation, and off-grid power solutions.

At the time of the acquisition, Wernick Group was approximately ten times the size of AVDanzer — making integration planning central to the success of the deal.

How the deal came together

 

A 10-year succession plan

In family-owned businesses, the decision to sell is often shaped less by market timing than by who is — or is not — ready to take over the reins. That was the situation at AVDanzer: the shareholders recognised approximately 10 years before completion that there was no internal successor, and that an eventual sale to an external buyer was the right path.

That long runway became a strategic advantage. Rather than reacting to an inbound offer or a sudden change in circumstances, Helen Webster and her fellow shareholders had the time to professionalise the business, develop management depth, and position Danzer as a clean, well-run, acquisition-ready asset — all while continuing to grow the operation year on year.

Business sale preparation

Preparation focused on the areas acquirers scrutinise most carefully: management succession below shareholder level, consistency of financial reporting, documentation of customer relationships and contracts, and clarity on the separability of the Langley Mill anti-vandal steel manufacturing operation.

By the time CapEQ began the formal process, Danzer was presenting as a resilient, diversified supplier to blue-chip infrastructure programmes — the kind of target that would generate interest from strategic acquirers in the UK and internationally.

Finding the right acquirer

CapEQ Director James Pugh led the sell-side process, which generated considerable international interest given Danzer's infrastructure credentials and manufacturing footprint. From a field of interested parties, Wernick Group emerged as the best cultural and operational fit — another family-owned business with aligned values around quality, safety, and long-term customer relationships.

 CapEQ partner James Pugh mediated negotiations, and navigated complexities around property to reach agreed terms. 

Post-completion: integrating into a group 10x larger

Because Wernick Group was roughly ten times AVDanzer's size, managing the integration carefully — particularly for the Danzer workforce — was a priority the shareholders set from the outset.

The post-deal structure was designed to minimise disruption:

  • Manchester and Langley Mill sites continue to operate as AVDanzer
  • Langley Mill's anti-vandal steel manufacturing division continues to trade under the AVDanzer brand
  • Brentwood depot was absorbed into Wernick's existing Essex and Kent operations
  • Helen Webster and Dan Holloway remained with the business to support continuity

 

ames Pugh, CapEQ Director, who led the sell-side advisory for AVDanzer

What they said 

"We have strong admiration for Danzer's manufacturing capability and products, and after initial discussion it quickly became apparent that both family-owned businesses share the same values of excellent customer service, outstanding product quality, focus on safety, and keeping things simple."

— David Wernick, Group Chairman, Wernick Group 

 

 

"We've always prided ourselves on our agility and innovation, adapting to changing market conditions. Our success is a testament to the skill and dedication of our staff, and we believe Wernick Group is the right partner to help us continue to grow."

— Dan Holloway, Director, AVDanzer 

 

Helen Webster on the sale — a four-part interview series

Former AVDanzer Managing Director Helen Webster has spoken publicly with CapEQ about the sale — from the ten-year runway and acquirer selection, through to post-sale life.

1. Prefab clout: how M&A turned family-owned Danzer into an industry leader Helen walks through the full sale story — succession challenges, acquisition readiness, and minimising employee disruption when integrating into a group ten times larger.
2. Finding the right acquirer for your business Helen's tips on identifying the right buyer, with focus on cultural fit and long-term intent for the business and its people.
3. Looking after staff when you sell a business A practical perspective on protecting employees through the sale process and integration — central to most owners' motivations when considering a sale.
4. Life beyond the business sale: finding purpose again An honest reflection on the identity shift, unexpected challenges of sudden freedom, and rediscovering purpose after the transaction closes.

Results

 

2,000
cabins and modular bays added to Wernick's fleet
+3
Wernick depot network expanded post-acquisition
35+
years. AVDanzer industry heritage preserved under continuing brand
10 years
years from shareholder succession decision to completed exit
10x
approximate size differential between Wernick Group and AVDanzer at completion

Advisor team

Sell-side M&A advisor: CapEQ — Director James Pugh.

Legal advisor to Danzer shareholders: HCR Law.

Legal advisor to Wernick Group: Burness Paull.

About CapEQ

CapEQ is a UK-based M&A advisory firm that advises founders and shareholders on selling, acquiring, and growing mid-market businesses. The firm is a certified B Corporation. Director James Pugh, who led the AVDanzer transaction, has advised on a number of pivotal exits across industrial, consumer, and technology sectors — including Liberty Flights to Supreme Plc, Vegetarian Express to Bridges Ventures, and Ecutek to Autometer/Promus Equity Partners.

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AVDanzer modular building installation supplied to a UK infrastructure project

Frequently asked questions

Who acquired AV Danzer?

AVDanzer (AV Danzer) was acquired by Wernick Group, one of the UK's largest portable building specialists, in September 2021.

When was AV Danzer sold to Wernick?

The acquisition was announced on 1 September 2021.

Who advised AV Danzer on the sale?

The Danzer shareholders were advised by M&A firm CapEQ, with Director James Pugh leading the transaction. Legal advice was provided by HCR Law. Wernick Group was advised by Burness Paull.

How much did Wernick pay for AV Danzer?

The value and terms of the transaction were not publicly disclosed.

Why did the AV Danzer shareholders sell the business?

AVDanzer was a family-owned business with no internal successor. The shareholders recognised approximately ten years before the eventual sale that the business would need to move to an external owner, and used that runway to prepare Danzer for a high-quality exit.

What did Helen Webster do after the sale?

Helen Webster, who was AVDanzer's Managing Director at the time of the sale, remained with the business post-completion to support continuity. She has since spoken publicly with CapEQ about multiple aspects of the exit, from acquirer selection to life after the sale.

What happened to AV Danzer's sites after the acquisition?

The Manchester and Langley Mill sites continued to operate under the AVDanzer brand, with Langley Mill retaining responsibility for anti-vandal steel manufacturing. The Brentwood depot was absorbed into Wernick Group's existing Essex and Kent operations.

How big is Wernick Group compared to AV Danzer?

At the time of the acquisition, Wernick Group was approximately ten times the size of AVDanzer, which made employee-focused integration planning central to the transaction.

What does AV Danzer make?

AVDanzer manufactures and hires high-quality modular and temporary buildings — including cabins, modular bays, and anti-vandal steel units — supplied to UK infrastructure projects (including Hinkley Point and the London Power Tunnels Project), schools, hospitals, laboratories, sports facilities, and offices.

Who led the deal at CapEQ?

Director James Pugh led the engagement for the Danzer shareholders.

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