The Client

We were appointed by KPMG, the Administrator for Dawson International who owned Horrockses, one of the UK’s most celebrated brands with a rich heritage dating back to the 18th century and famously known for producing high quality household cottons, favored by the Royal Family.

Horrockses successfully expanded into fashion and was a major fashion brand in the 1940-60s. Despite not producing under the Horrockses brand for years, there was a surprising amount of interest when the brand became available for sale.

The Assignment

Metis Partners was engaged to conduct an intensive sales and marketing campaign to sell the IP assets, including a portfolio of dormant trade marks, relating to the Horrockses name.

Our Approach

We performed thorough research into the history of the brand and commissioned a vintage-style brand brochure with highlights of the Horrockses brand and its illustrious history. The sales information was circulated to our international network of buyers, as well as a bespoke database of potentially interested parties created from our market research. We liaised with media partners to gain broad press coverage, including in industry magazines and mainstream press. Competitive tension was created throughout our established auction process.

The Outcome

We achieved an offer that was significantly higher than the offers that had been originally received, for IP assets that had been lying dormant and undervalued. In addition, we worked with the legal team to ensure successful completion and to resolve licensing issues. The sale successfully facilitated the relaunch of this iconic British brand.

 

IP assets sold: Brand & Trade Marks