Higgs & Sons has represented an industrial catering equipment specialist
on its acquisition of a competitor.
First Choice Catering Spares Limited appointed law firm Higgs & Sons of
Brierley Hill to represent it on its recent acquisition of the business of
Combico (UK) Limited 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 out
of a distribution centre in Cannock. The business has been built up over the
last 15 years and the Combico acquisition led to the consolidation of the
company's position as a leading supplier in this field.
"Combico was a particularly good fit for our existing business," explained
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.
"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.
"We were anxious to complete the purchase in time to make an announcement
prior to a recent trade show and were grateful that Higgs & Sons were able
to overcome a number of hurdles to achieve this deadline."
David Ellis, the partner at Higgs & Sons who led the team dealing with
the purchase commented:
"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. We wish the
combined business every success for the future."
Higgs was recently named Corporate Law Firm of the Year at the Midlands
Insider Deal Makers event and in the first quarter of 2014 the firm was ranked
as fourth most active law firm for corporate deals in the region according to
Experian's latest report. The firm's headquarters are at the Waterfront Business
Park in Brierley Hill and the firm employs more than 100 specialist lawyers.
David can be contacted on 0845 111 5050 or by email david.ellis@higgsandsons.co.uk.