Matthew Arnold & Baldwin LLP (MAB) has advised longstanding client FT Holdings in its acquisition of Burnham-based Universal Document Management (UDM).

FT Holdings is the parent company of a group of print companies including Southampton-based FT Mail Solutions and FT Print. The FT group specialises in a range of services including: print and supply management, brand management, digital print on demand, speed to market solutions, communications mailings and multi language typesetting. The FT group also offers a full online service including a web-to-print facility.

UDM offers its clients an independent, consultative approach to print and communications. Through solutions that are tailored to client needs, UDM is able to deliver cost savings, improved efficiencies and consistency of brand reproduction.

The MAB team was led by Richard Phillips, partner and head of the Corporate Department, with the transaction being run by senior associate Emma Cameron and Solicitor Shimon Shaw advising on the tax structuring issues of the deal.

The sellers of UDM were advised by Wokingham and Reading-based Clifton Ingram LLP.

Richard Phillips commented on the deal: “We are delighted to have advised FT Holdings in its recent acquisition of Universal Document Management. We have worked with FT Holdings on a number of acquisitions over the last decade as well as providing them with employment, property and other general commercial advice. The synergy and long term relationship between these two businesses and their management teams meant that UDM was a natural fit and an integral part of the overall growth strategy of the FT group. We look forward to working with FT Holdings again soon and watching their continuous growth.”