Plexus Cotton Limited (In Liquidation)
Hilco is seeking offers to acquire the intellectual property assets of Plexus Cotton Limited (In Liquidation) (“Plexus” or the “Company”) on behalf of the Liquidator of the Company, Brian Baker of Moore Kingston Smith & Partners LLP.
July 19 2024, 12pm BST
Prior to Liquidation, Plexus, established in Liverpool in 1990, was one of the largest suppliers of raw cotton globally, handling up to two million bales annually at its peak. With over 30 years of experience in the industry, Plexus developed a strong reputation for its expertise in the procurement, marketing, and trading of high-quality cotton and cotton-related products. In 2005, Plexus broadened its engagement in the sector to include cotton production and agriculture, building on its established global trading platform. This strategic expansion allowed the Company to integrate more deeply into cotton supply chains, enhancing its capability to deliver quality products and services to its clients.
Plexus has earned acclaim for pushing the boundaries of quality assurance, market intelligence, and sustainable practices. By leveraging advanced technology and maintaining rigorous standards, the Company ensured the reliability and quality of its products, cementing its strong reputation among a diverse clientele. In addition to cotton trading, Plexus offered a comprehensive suite of complementary services and solutions, including market analysis, risk management, and sustainable sourcing. The Company’s commitment to sustainability is evident through partnerships with initiatives like the Better Cotton Initiative (BCI), which promotes environmentally friendly and socially responsible cotton production practices.
Prior to Liquidation, Plexus served major textile mills, garment manufacturers, and retailers worldwide. The Company’s extensive network ensures a steady supply of quality cotton and provides invaluable market insights, aiding clients in making informed decisions in a volatile market environment.
With a robust track record and an esteemed reputation among its clients, the prestigious Plexus brand is synonymous with excellence and reliability and is one of the most revered names in the cotton trading sector. This opportunity offers a prospective buyer the opportunity to acquire the brand and associated intellectual property assets of a former leader and one of the biggest names in the cotton trading industry.
The Plexus Brand
The Plexus brand is highly esteemed and widely recognised within the cotton industry and is synonymous with quality, sustainability, and innovation.
The Plexus brand emerged from a commitment to deliver top-tier cotton products and services, setting it apart from its competitors. The brand has attracted an enviable client base, forging strong ties with key stakeholders across various sectors, including textile mills, garment manufacturers, and leading retailers. The Plexus brand is synonymous with high-quality cotton, exceptional customer service, and a steadfast commitment to sustainable practices.
Plexus’ excellence has been recognised through numerous accolades and certifications. Before Liquidation, the Company was a partner of the Better Cotton Initiative (BCI), promoting sustainable cotton farming practices. Additionally, Plexus has been featured in several industry-leading publications, such as Cotton Outlook, where it was praised for its innovative trading strategies and commitment to sustainability.
The Company’s role as a thought leader and innovator in the cotton sector is underscored by its participation in prominent industry conferences and forums. For instance, Plexus’ has been a key speaker at the International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC) meetings, sharing insights on market trends and sustainability practices.
Plexus’ reputation has been built on consistently delivering high-quality, bespoke cotton products with unparalleled expertise and a commitment to exceeding industry standards. The Company’s significant contributions to the cotton industry were recognised when it received the Cotton Industry Leadership Award in 2021, celebrating its impact on global cotton trade and sustainable farming and bolstering the brand.
The strength of the Plexus brand is further enhanced by its features in key industry publications such as Cotton International, Textile Today, and the African Cotton & Textile Industries Federation (ACTIF) journal, showing Plexus’ role as a thought leader and innovator in the cotton sector.
Plexus retains a legacy as a trusted and respected name in the global cotton industry.
Trade Marks
The Company holds registered trade marks covering the revered “Plexus” brand name in the UK and internationally.
In addition to the core brand name, the Company has also trade marked its tag lines, “Field to Fashion” and “Bolls to Boutiques”, referring to its commitment to a vertically integrated supply chain, partnering with cotton farmers to ensure high-quality products from the initial stages of production through to the finished garment. The Company also holds an array of registered trade marks protecting the “Great Lakes Cotton Company” brand name, formerly relating to its Ugandan manufacturing operations.
A full trade mark schedule is available via a virtual data room.
Design
The Company holds a registered UK design for protecting a novel design of seed planter devised by the Company to support its farming operations.
A full design schedule is available via a virtual data room.
Social Media Accounts
Rights in the social media accounts are also available to acquire across Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.
A full social media schedule is available via a virtual data room.
Customer Data
The Company holds past invoices for historical customers captured between 2011 and 2022. The Company’s invoice data is available for acquisition.
Offers are due Friday 19 July 2024 at 12pm BST.
All expressions of interest and bids are to be directed to Hilco in writing. A Bid Submission Form is available on request. Please contact Hilco to gain access to a virtual data room of further information on signing a confidentiality agreement
The Liquidator acts as an agent of the Company and without personal liability.
The bidder acknowledges that Hilco acts as an agent for the Liquidator who offers for sale only what right, title and interest (if any) the Company possesses in the assets. Such sale will be without any warranties, expressed or implied. The information provided has not been verified by Hilco or the Liquidator and bidders are deemed to have carried out their own due diligence.
VAT, if applicable, at 20% will be added to the price. A non-refundable deposit of 20% will be payable by the buyer within 48 hours of bid acceptance. A buyer’s premium of 10% of the sale price is payable by the winning bidder. Legal completion to occur within 5 business days of bid acceptance. Hilco’s full Terms and Conditions apply.
