Spare parts firm First Choice snaps up rival

CANNOCK’S First Choice Catering Spares has acquired the business of competitor Combico (UK) for an undisclosed sum. 
 
First Choice has built up a successful business in the supply of spare parts for industrial catering equipment sourced from Europe and the United States.

The business has been built up over the last 15 years and the acquisition of oven spare parts business Combico has been described as a “particularly good fit” by
First Choice director and co-founder John Whitehouse.
 
“Not only does the business enjoy a good relationship with Rational AG, a major German-based supplier of combination ovens, but in addition it has established a successful training business which helps engineers working in the industry to master the technicalities involved in fitting and repairing Rational products,” he said.
 
“We are particularly pleased to be able to offer these services now from our Cannock training centre. 

“As the products become more complex, there is an increasing need for training in them. This will enhance the service offered to our customers and help to strengthen our position in the market.”
 
Brierley Hill-based law firm law firm Higgs & Sons represented First Choice.

David Ellis, the partner at Higgs who led the team dealing with the purchase, said: “We are pleased to have been instructed on this purchase. It was certainly a tight deadline that we were working to, but if you can’t stand the heat, you should stay out of the kitchen spares transactional marketplace.
 
“All sides worked well together to achieve this fantastic end result and it was clear that this was an excellent fit of two established and growing businesses which should benefit staff and customers alike.”
 
Higgs & Sons is one of the sponsors of TheBusinessDesk.com’s West Midlands Business Masters Awards 2014. To read more about the awards click here .