How Intermarium Supported a Leading UK Timber Supplier with International Expansion and Compliance

Case Subject

Midvale Ltd. is a trusted timber supplier in the UK. Since its establishment in late 2016, the company has built a strong reputation for supplying high-quality, sustainable timber to customers in the UK, Europe and the Middle East.

Midvale has also expanded into Ireland, Latvia and Ukraine, building a network of trusted producers in Europe and neighbouring countries. All of the company’s suppliers are FSC® certified and its products comply with the EU Timber Regulation (EUTR) and have a Chain of Custody certificate.

The company is committed to sustainability and international compliance, working with furniture manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers. Today, its range of products ranges from C24 sawn timber and structural timber to birch plywood and pine furniture components. With a significant proportion of its production concentrated in Ukraine, the company sought to strengthen its legal presence here.

Client’s Situation

As Midvale expanded, it encountered the increasing complexity of operating internationally across multiple jurisdictions. The Ukrainian legal and regulatory landscape, while offering strong industrial potential and cost efficiency, presented challenges in terms of foreign investment structuring, regulatory compliance, and day-to-day operations.

With international contracts, cross-border tax considerations, and a need to maintain FSC and EUTR standards, the company required legal support to:

• Properly structure its Ukrainian entity;
• Ensure transparent foreign ownership recognition;
• Prepare and legalize documents for use across borders;
• Identify pathways for residence permits or remote management structures;
• Maintain alignment with both UK and Ukrainian corporate governance practices.

The Problem

The client faced several layered challenges that required a comprehensive solution:

• Foreign ownership recognition in Ukraine required a carefully structured approach to avoid delays, tax risks, or refusal by banks and registrars;
• Currency regulations and formal restrictions on foreign investment flows could disrupt production or supplier payments;
• The need to open and operate Ukrainian bank accounts, authorize managers, and meet licensing and customs obligations all required precise documentation and legal support;
• Apostilled and translated corporate documents from the UK were required, and existing processes did not allow for delays or inaccuracies.

Moreover, Midvale needed a clear strategy to navigate Ukrainian immigration regulations should any director or key person need to work from Ukraine in person.

Our Approach

Analysis

Intermarium began by conducting a detailed legal audit of the company’s current structure, documents, and strategic goals. This included:

• Reviewing the company’s manufacturing and export flows;
• Examining the ownership and corporate documents issued in the UK;
• Analyzing potential liabilities and compliance risks under Ukrainian law;
• Mapping a route for securing a residency pathway or efficient remote governance model.

Strategy

We developed a phased plan that combined:

• Corporate structuring of the Ukrainian entity with clearly documented foreign ownership;
• Preparation of necessary apostilles and legalizations of documents from Ireland and the UK;
• Design of a delegated authority model for local company management (including trust structures, PoAs, and statutory changes);
• Exploration of residency permit options through foreign investment or company directorship;
• Ensuring compatibility with international certifications (FSC/EUTR) from a legal and customs standpoint.

Implementation

• Facilitated apostille processes for UK and Irish documents and coordinated certified translations in Ukraine;
• Prepared resolutions, updated charters, and handled state registration to reflect ownership and director changes;
• Supported account opening and KYC procedures with Ukrainian banks for the enterprise;
• Structured the company’s management bodies to allow remote representation and mitigate risks tied to physical absence of foreign directors;
• Coordinated with tax advisors to optimize VAT, customs, and profit taxation implications.

Result

The client received a fully registered and operational Ukrainian enterprise with properly documented foreign ownership, legal representation, and tax status. Midvale was able to:

• Continue production in Ukraine without disruption;
• Secure banking infrastructure and legal control over its subsidiary;
• Present a clean and compliant structure to partners, banks, and auditors in the UK and EU;
• Retain its certifications and export eligibility across all regions.

Additionally, Intermarium’s advisory on residency permits and delegation of authority provided the client with valuable strategic flexibility in the event of travel, border, or personnel complications.

Expert Comment

“Our work with Midvale demonstrates how legal planning is the cornerstone of sustainable international business. Ukraine offers unique opportunities for manufacturers and exporters — but only if legal clarity and cross-border coherence are maintained from day one.” — Taras Horbatiuk, Managing Partner

Conclusion

Midvale’s case shows how a well-structured legal intervention can eliminate uncertainties and lay the groundwork for long-term commercial success. Through corporate structuring, document legalization, tax guidance, and cross-border coordination, Intermarium helped a UK company turn Ukrainian production into a strategic advantage.

This is a model for companies across Europe, the Middle East, or Asia seeking to enter or expand in Ukraine. Our holistic approach ensures not just compliance, but confidence in operations, growth, and global positioning.

Submit a Request

If your business is expanding across borders or facing complex legal operations, we’re here to help. Contact Intermarium today to get expert legal support tailored to international companies operating in Ukraine and beyond.