KBS Corporate Finance advises on sale of Superbike Factory

Used motorcycle retailer Superbike Factory secured investment from private equity firm Livingbridge to support its next phase of expansion. The investment will help accelerate growth within the retail sector, supporting new locations, increased marketing activity, and enhanced customer services.

Transaction Overview 

• Sector: Retail
• Business Type: Online and showroom-based retailer of used motorbikes with integrated finance brokerage services
• Deal Type: Private Equity Investment
• Buyer Type: Private Equity Buyer
• Location: Macclesfield, Cheshire, UK

KBS Corporate Finance recently completed a deal involving our client, Superbike Factory Limited, and Livingbridge EP LLP, a UK mid-market private equity firm that has backed successful businesses for over twenty years.

Established in 2010 by entrepreneurs, Scott Behrens and James Watson, Superbike is the UK’s largest independent supplier of used motorbikes, and through offering bespoke financing options to customers, the company has emerged as the UK’s leading finance broker in the motorcycle market. Superbike employs 89 staff and operates its business both online and using a physical showroom located in Macclesfield, Cheshire.

Livingbridge’s investment in Superbike will support the company’s plans to accelerate growth through the opening of a new site in the South of England, increased marketing initiatives, more opportunities for staff and provision of added-value services for its loyal customers. The deal is being financed by Livingbridge’s Enterprise 2 Fund, which raised £220m when it opened in October 2015.

The transaction adds to Livingbridge’s portfolio of online-first businesses such as ticket aggregator, Direct Ferries, online car rental platform, Travel Jigsaw, and online-only fast fashion retailer, In The Style.

Scott Behrens, founder and Managing Director of Superbike, commented “Livingbridge’s experience in helping high-growth, digitally focused retailers become clear industry leaders made them the natural choice for us when we sought to take the business up a gear. We have built a strong and scalable business model and Livingbridge is the ideal partner for the next stage of our journey.”|Nick Holder, Investment Director at Livingbridge, said “Superbike is a compelling investment opportunity for Livingbridge. Scott and the team have built a disruptive, digital-first retailer in a traditional market, which is winning because it is delivering the service that buyers and sellers of used motorbikes want.

“We are excited to be investing in the business and working with Scott and his team to take Superbike to the next level.”

Dave Gardner and Stuart Lees of KBS Corporate Finance advised on the deal. Dave commented, “Livingbridge’s knowledge and years of experience in expanding successful UK businesses with strong potential, and most especially the firm’s track record of working with online-first retailers, will undoubtedly provide Superbike with the perfect platform to achieve its wider growth strategy and fulfil its future objectives. I’m certain that the investment will open the door to new opportunities and provide great success for both companies.”

The Retail & E-commerce Market Today

Growing investment across the retail and e-commerce sector continues to drive acquisitions of digitally focused businesses with scalable sales models. Companies that combine strong online platforms with specialist product expertise are particularly attractive to private equity investors seeking to support expansion, enhance marketing capabilities, and accelerate national growth.

With demand for scalable, digitally led businesses continuing to build, now could be the perfect time for business owners to explore their options, including selling a company.

You can also explore similar retail and e-commerce transactions, including the sale of Solmar Villas, highlighting continued investment in established consumer-facing brands.