Ashurst is advising EmergeVest on the recommended cash acquisition of Palletforce PLC, a Staffordshire-headquartered pallet distribution company. The acquisition is to be made by means of a scheme of arrangement by Forcefield Bidco Limited, a newly incorporated company formed by EmergeVest.

Palletforce was formed in 2001 and operates from a 400,000 sq ft central hub in Burton-upon-Trent, with 100 depots across the UK and Europe.
The terms of the deal have been agreed by the boards of both companies, and the acquisition is subject to shareholder approval.

The Ashurst team is led by private equity partner David Carter, assisted by senior associate Audrius Skeivys and solicitor Andrew McLaren. Partner Paul Stewart is advising on the banking aspects of the transaction assisted by associate Darren Phelan. Incentives advice is being provided by senior associate Andy Wright.