UK timber and forestry group BSW Timber has acquired Dunfermline-based timber pallet and packaging business Scott Group.
With an annual turnover in excess of £250m and 1,300 employees, Scott Group produces more than 30 million pallets per year.
Founded in 1987 and operating across 32 sites - from Shetland to Devon - the company also operates a pallet recovery, repair and reuse service, alongside a timber sourcing arm in Latvia.
BSW meanwhile, has six operating divisions, including tree nurseries, forestry, harvesting, timber manufacturing and energy, plus six sawmills across the UK – Southampton, Newbridge-on-Wye, Carlisle, Dalbeattie, Petersmuir and Fort William.
Tony Hackney, chief executive of BSW Group, said: “This move further strengthens our product and service offering, tying into our vision of not only making use of the full value of timber, but also of achieving the best uses for timber across the group, while fully utilising the logistical firepower of the combined businesses.
“Much like us, Scott Group has grown organically and through acquisition over the last decade, and we’re confident that with the expertise and experience of BSW and Scott together we can continue to build on this both in the UK and further afield.”
Norman Scott, owner and group operations director at Scott Group, added: “This is a huge move for both Scott Group and the wider timber industry, helping us to cement our status as the UK’s most innovative manufacturer and supplier of timber pallets.
“It also helps us to ensure that we can work even closer with customers to provide solutions that fit their requirements and deliver value.”
After the deal, BSW will employ around 3,000 people across the sector, with an annual turnover of approximately £900m.
Both Hackney and chief financial officer Alan Milne will join the Scott Group board of directors, who will all continue in their current roles.
BSW was advised by Macfarlanes in London, while Scott Group was advised by BTO Solicitors in Glasgow.
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