Industrial supplies group swoops for £16m pallet company
A Fife-based industrial supplies business Scott Group has snapped up Rotherham’s Whirlowdale Trading.
The £16m-turnover family-run business specialises in pallet and packaging, and will bolster Scott’s existing pallet businesses including Scott Pallets, HLC and Pallet Logistics.
WTC employs 85 staff and operates its pallet manufacturing and reconditioned business from eight locations in Rotherham as well as Burton, Rainham, Sedgefield, Birtley, Lincoln and Castleford.
Alan Gibson, Scott Pallets’ managing director, said: “The combined businesses will deliver enhanced security of supply through access to our exceptionally well established, diverse and controlled reconditioned pallet supply chains.
“WTC is a well-invested business with a particular strength in reconditioned pallet trading and facilities including strategically located sites, automated pallet production facilities, all adding significant service capability to our current offer”.
“Customers will also benefit from our exceptional combined in-house depth of industry knowledge and technical competence. Together this will deliver industry leading, innovative service developments to support our customers, particularly in relation to sustainability and environmental objectives.”
Andrew Pearce, previous owner of Whirlowdale, said: “I’m delighted to be remaining as a director of the business and to be able as part of Scott Group to offer customers a more comprehensive choice. Our combined range of pallet products and services, delivered nationally is exceptional.”
The deal was supported by HSBC with BTO and Campbell Dallas acting as advisers to Scott Group, and BHP Corporate Finance and hlw Keeble Hawson advising WTC and its shareholders.
Founded in 1987, the Scott Group now employs over 1,000 people UK-wide across 34 sites.
Pictured: Norman Scott and Andrew Pearce
