Office cleaning firm OCS in takeover talks with US private equity firm

A family-owned office cleaning company has held talks with an American private equity firm connected to ex-Tesco boss Sir Terry Leahy about a takeover, sources said.

It is understood that OCS, which also provides security guards to shopping centres and catering for office canteens, is working with advisers from Lazard on ‘strategic options’, which could lead to a sale of a stake in the business.

OCS was founded as The New Century Window and General Cleaning Company by Frederick Goodliffe in 1900.

OCS is still family-owned, so any deal could crystallise a hefty pay-out for family members

A decade later his three sons – Gilbert, Tom and George – joined the company and today fifth generation relatives still work at OCS, which has remained in Goodliffe family ownership.

As a result, any deal could crystallise a hefty pay-out for family members. Ian Goodliffe, one of the great grandsons of Frederick Goodliffe, is a director of OCS.

One source suggested that US-based Clayton Dubilier & Rice – which employs Sir Terry as an adviser – may be the private equity firm in ‘exclusive’ talks with the owners of OCS, which employs 19,000 people.

Clayton Dubilier & Rice has been highly acquisitive over the last year, acquiring a variety of UK firms, including plumbers’ merchant Wolseley for £308 million.

OCS and Clayton Dubilier & Rice declined to comment.