John and Norman Scott of the Scott Group have acquired Marlaw Pallets in a multimillion-pound deal.

Making their 27th acquisition since 1998, the purchase of Marlaw will see their businesses combined turnover soar from £95m to £123m and joint staff numbers increase from 850 to 1150.

The acquisition reinforces a major move by their Scott Group into the packaging sector and puts the combined businesses on course for achieving turnover of £150m within three years – a target set just last year.

In recent times the Scott Group has diversified its business and now offers customers the convenience of a single supplier for a complete logistics solution. This includes new pallet supply, packaging, reconditioned pallets, wood waste management and returnable transit packaging.

The Group has also begun supplying tools and engineering consumables, such as health and safety equipment and clothes, through its Fasco business.

The acquisition of Marlaw increases the Scott brother’s combined UK sites to 30 and significantly enhances the fast growing packaging and reconditioned pallet businesses. Marlaw currently sells over three million reconditioned pallets a year.

With the addition of Marlaw’s pallet manufacturing capacity the businesses will between them manufacture 38 pallets a minute, 365 days a year.

John Scott, Managing Director of the Scott Group Limited, said: “The acquisition of Marlaw takes our businesses to a new level and provides us with an excellent platform to explore further growth in Europe.

“Adding Marlaw’s services to our own will see us continue to diversify the business and pursue strong growth in areas such as packaging and reconditioned pallets.

“With 30 sites across the UK we are unique in being able to offer customers complete national coverage coupled with a standard of service that can only be delivered by a local supplier.”

Customers of the Scott Group benefit from guaranteed supply with a dedicated shipping service bringing in 20,000 cubic metres of timber – the UK’s largest supply – every month from the Baltic states. In addition Marlaw’s own service also brings in 10,000 cubic metres per month.

John added: “The growth of the Scott Group has been an incredibly exciting journey and it has been possible thanks to one of the UK’s best management teams and a committed and loyal customer base.”

Both the Scott and Marlaw Group count some of the biggest names in manufacturing amongst their customers.

Since launching in 1982 Marlaw has grown to become one of the largest manufacturers and suppliers of pallets in the UK. It is renowned for its ability to deliver advantage to logistic customers and has made strong investments in state-of-the-art facilities.

The company is also very strong in reconditioned pallets and sells over three million a year.