Sara Lee will continue to explore options regarding the sale of Sara Lee Courtaulds, a UK-based division that manufactures private-label clothing for retailers. The division was not part of the just-a... [more]

Vantis has acquired the non-audit business of Harrow-based Booth Anderson Chester for an initial £0.6m.... [more]

Spice Holdings has acquired Kemac Services, the Leicestershire-based water services company, for £6.2m.... [more]

Barchester Healthcare has bought Manor House Nursing Home, the Stamford Bridge-based care home with 200 staff, for undisclosed terms.... [more]

Rexam is to acquire Precise Technology, the US plastic packaging manufacturer with 1,700 staff, for £148m.... [more]

SkyePharma announces it has appointed Lehman Brothers to review strategic options. In a statement, it said that following a recent unsolicited approach from a third party, the Board of SkyePharma has ... [more]

Gresham, the UK private equity house, has appointed KPMG Corporate Finance to look at 2e2 Group. The UK IT infrastructure and services business is to undergo a review of strategic options, the short i... [more]

Barr Holdings, the Scottish construction business, is seeking a sale or merger, according to management figures. Barr made a profit before tax of more than £3m in the six months to September this year... [more]

Umeco has acquired Aeromedic Innovations, the Uxbridge-based supplier of on-board medical kits and therapeutic oxygen equipment, for £2.1m.... [more]

Hendy Group has acquired Exeter Car Supermarket in a multi-million pound deal.... [more]

Southern Cross has acquired the Ashbourne chain of nursing homes for about £85m, taking its total chain to 573 homes.... [more]

Mappin & Webb, the chain of 32 jewellery stores, is expected to be acquired by Baugur, the Icelandic owner of the Goldsmiths chain, for £20m.... [more]

Man Group is to acquire the futures business of Refco, the US brokerage, for £185m.... [more]

Libeltex, the non wovens division of British Vita, the UK foam company, is being sold, a number of sources close to the situation said. British Vita was bought by TPG, the US PE firm, at the beginning... [more]

Barr Holdings, the UK-based construction and services group, is for sale with a £25m asking price. One sector expert has said that the diversified group might be difficult to sell. The company has int... [more]

Sage Group is to acquire Adonix, the French business management software company, for £78m.... [more]

Dassett Process Engineering is to merge with BottleTech Solutions, the Cheltenham-based manufacturer of bagging and automation equipment.... [more]

Andy Thornton, the West Yorkshire-based interior design and architectural salvage company with 190 staff, has undergone a management buy-out for undisclosed terms.... [more]

Helix RDS, the Aberdeen-based oil and gas consultancy with 180 staff, has been acquired by Cal Dive International of the US for £18m.... [more]

Kingston Communications, the Hull-based telecoms company with a market valuation of £345m, has received a takeover approach from an unnamed company.... [more]