UK
White Knight's high-volume production plant in Reading has been acquired by Berendsen UK. The plant, on Loverock Road, is said to be the UK's first steam free laundry plant.
White Knight Laundry Services was owned by the Tomlins family for more than 100 years and has built up a reputation for high-quality services across the south of England.
Following investment in state-of-the art equipment, it became apparent that this type of high-volume laundry would be best suited to a much larger organisation with large, high-volume customers, the company said in a statement.
The remaining White Knight business, operating from Eastbourne, will continue to provide an exceptional laundry service to domestic customers and small businesses.
The sale was arranged by Watersheds, a firm of corporate finance specialists. Soon after the deal was outlined, White Knight's chairman Peter Tomlins suffered a health scare so the details had to be completed faster than usual. Watersheds managed to complete the transaction - from agreeing terms and exclusivity to completion - within 10 weeks.
LAUNDRY SALE: White Knight's chairman Peter Tomlins pictured with Jessica Painter, partner at Watersheds
