We have advised long-standing client Rutland Partners on its investment into the Southgate Global group.

Southgate is a market-leading packaging and e-commerce fulfilment provider, which has evolved from a regional packaging supplier in the 1960s to become one of Europe’s largest suppliers of industrial packaging goods, machinery and equipment with long-standing supply chain relationships.

Following this acquisition, Rutland plan to develop Southgate's global footprint and manufacturing capabilities by expanding services to customers and pursuing domestic and international growth. A debt package has been provided by Investec Growth and Leveraged Finance to support this growth alongside Rutland's investment.

Southgate is the eleventh investment from Rutland Fund III.

Commenting on the deal, Private Equity Partner Ed Waldron said: "It has been a pleasure to transact this deal for Rutland and to get to know Southgate and the management team, who have put environmental responsibility at the heart of their business."

Oliver Jones, Partner at Rutland said: "Ed and the wider Taylor Wessing team provided strong support and relevant expertise throughout the deal, which included some innovative structuring solutions in order to accommodate the requirements of the various stakeholders."

The team was led by Private Equity partner Ed Waldron, with support from Private Equity senior associates Alexander Walker and Alexandra Holden, Private Equity associates, Sarah Wallace and Katherine Yu and Private Equity trainee solicitor Alexander Stones.

Additional support was provided by the following teams. Banking & Finance: Martin Yells, Katie Horbury, Anna Dugoni and Anna-Mariya Angelinova. Tax: Liz Wilson and Marina Constanti. Commercial Technology and Data: Sian Skelton, Simon Jupp, Laura Mackie, Eve Dunne, Mary Rendle, Nina Goodyear and Callum McLean. Competition: Paolo Palmigiano and Louisa Penny. Disputes and Investigations: Michelle George. Employment: Sean Nesbitt, Polly Grieff, Ruth Moffett, Alex Davidson, Ilana Granditer and Charlotte Sutton. Pensions: Mark Smith, Georgina Wardrop and Rachael Potts. Real Estate: Emma Oakley and Rhys Bufton.