Evac+Chair International and Systematic Growth enter into partnership

Solihull-based Evac+Chair International Limited has partnered with Swedish company builder Systematic Growth in an international deal led by advisory firm PKF Smith Cooper. The deal will see Evac+Chair’s managing director Gerard Wallace remain at the helm of the company.

Evac+Chair is a global manufacturer of evacuation chairs and critical care transfer solutions. As a company builder, Systematic Growth invests in companies with similar characteristics with the aim of creating market leading company groups.

After receiving several offers from interested parties, Evac+Chair appointed PKF Smith Cooper to support in assessing interest.

The deal was led by PKF Smith Cooper’s corporate finance team, who were named ‘SME Advisory Team of the Year’ and shortlisted for 'International Deal of the Year' at Insider’s Dealmaker Awards last month. In completing this deal, PKF Smith Cooper demonstrated its capabilities to secure international funds for a Midlands company.

PKF Smith Cooper’s partner-led team consisted of Darren Hodson, Joshua Gurton, and Thomas Joy. Adam Rollason and Harry Cook assisted with tax advice for the vendors. Other professionals involved in the deal were Alison Scott and Felicity Hart at Harrison Clark Rickerbys, who provided Evac+Chair with legal advice.

Alison Scott, corporate partner at Harrison Clark Rickerbys, commented: “It was wonderful to be involved in this transaction and to assist the shareholders with the next step in the company’s evolution. We wish the company all the very best for its next stage of growth, which we are sure will bring with it great success”.

Gerard Wallace, managing director at Evac+Chair, commented: “Everyone at Evac+Chair is looking forward to this next step in the company’s journey, as we join forces with Systematic Growth and embark on future growth. The expert advice and support we received from the PKF Smith Cooper corporate finance team was invaluable, and we could not have hoped for a better outcome. With their experience in building company groups, Systematic Growth is the ideal future home for Evac+Chair.”

Darren Hodson, corporate finance partner at PKF Smith Cooper, said: “I am really pleased that we were able to find the right buyer for Evac+Chair in Systematic Growth. The synergies between the two companies make it the perfect partnership and I wish both companies all the best for the future. What’s more, this deal clearly demonstrates that there is still a global appetite to invest in the Midlands market and the confidence to do so. The demand from international investors will lead to more deals for local businesses in the future.”

Notes to Editors

An ambitious business and multi award-winning firm, we are the home of PKF in the Midlands. The region’s leading firm of trusted accountants and business advisors, we operate across key geographies in Derby, Nottingham, Birmingham, and Ashbourne.

Through our membership of PKF International, the large network of legally independent accounting firms and 11th largest network here in the UK, we are at the forefront of compliance regulations and specialise in providing high quality solutions.

Working in unison with PKF member firms across the world, we blend local expertise and extensive territorial knowledge to provide a full range of audit, accountancy, tax and advisory services in line with the expectations and needs of the market.

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