16 Aug 2021 Rutland invests in Southgate Global
Rutland Partners is pleased to announce the completion of its acquisition of Southgate Global Limited (“Southgate”).
Southgate is a market leading solutions provider within the packaging and e-commerce fulfilment sector. From its origins as a regional UK packaging supplier in the 1960s, the business has impressively evolved through strong organic growth and several strategic acquisitions to become Europe’s largest trade supplier of machinery, equipment and associated consumables to the industrial packaging marketplace.
Southgate enjoys diverse and long-standing supply chain relationships with global manufacturers, which enables the company to offer its customers an unequalled range of products that provide outstanding value alongside market leading service levels. Southgate’s systems provide solutions to fast-paced fulfilment centres that rely on high quality and reliable supply.
Sustainable packaging is now high on the agenda of every e-commerce and distribution company. Southgate’s mindset is to drive collaborative customer partnerships and create value through constant product innovation to enhance operational productivity. The strong focus on innovation in this area ensures that customers maximise their opportunity to meet their corporate sustainability objectives.
Southgate represents an exciting opportunity for Rutland to partner with the existing management team led by Craig Turner (CEO), and further develop the group’s global footprint and manufacturing capabilities. Rutland was selected by the Turner family because of its extensive experience in helping organisations through strategic change and further growth. The plan going forward will include expanding services to customers, pursuing domestic and international growth objectives and exploring targeted acquisitions where appropriate.
Alongside Rutland’s investment, Investec Growth and Leveraged Finance have provided a debt package to support Southgate’s growth ambitions.
Craig Turner, CEO of Southgate said, “We have sought a new investor who would commit significant investment to the group and back the existing team to achieve our strategic goals. We’re delighted to welcome Rutland Partners as that investment partner and look forward to working with them over the coming years.”
Oliver Jones, partner in Rutland Partners said, “We have been very impressed by the way the team at Southgate has built its business by focussing on strong customer relationships. They have a track record of innovation and growth, matched with an important focus on helping their customers meet the ongoing challenges of becoming more environmentally sustainable. Southgate’s existing international network and distributor base provide an excellent foundation for further growth in the future, and we look forward to working with Craig and the team to help deliver the next phase of the group’s expansion.”
Southgate is the eleventh investment from Rutland Fund III. The team leading the transaction for Rutland was Oliver Jones and Matthew Hamilton-Allen.