Wragge & Co advises Birds Eye on multi-million pound logistics and warehousing deal double

Wragge & Co LLP Commercial team has advised long-standing client Birds Eye Iglo Group Limited on a multi-million pound logistics and warehousing deal double.

Under Birds Eye's new UK logistics and warehousing strategy, DHL will provide a national logistics service to the frozen food company. In a second arrangement, frozen food specialist Partner Logistics Inc, will build and operate a new national frozen food warehouse for Birds Eye. Located in Cambridgeshire, the Wisbech warehouse will have a capacity for up to 77,000 pallets.

Commercial partner David Lowe led the deal. Jack Jacovou, Julian Pallett, Catherine Phillips and Kelly Chapman provided commercial, property, banking and finance and employment advice. They worked alongside Anthony Barratt, Group Legal Counsel and Company Secretary at Birds Eye. Alastair Innes at CMS Cameron McKenna advised Partner Logistics. In-house legal counsel James Harris advised DHL.

David Lowe said: "Advising Birds Eye on its key UK logistics and warehousing arrangements underlines our strong track record and expertise in this area. We combined in-depth sector focus with an innovative approach to ensure the arrangements were structured to protect Birds Eye's commercial interests."

Anthony Barratt at Birds Eye said: "David and the team at Wragge & Co guided the business throughout this complex, multi-faceted transaction with not only expert legal advice but also real commercial understanding of the issues facing the business. The team did a great job!"

Owned by private equity firm Permira, Birds Eye Iglo Group Limited is Europe's largest frozen food producer with sales exceeding €1.2 billion. Wragge & Co is the frozen food giant's preferred legal adviser providing regular advice across multiple disciplines including commercial, IP, property, litigation, competition, employment and regulatory. Previous experience includes advising on its launch in Turkey, steering Birds Eye to victory over complaints made to the Advertising Standards Authority and advising on the lease of its head office.

Wragge & Co's Commercial team has a strong track record advising clients on their logistics and warehousing arrangements. Notable recent examples include advising Marks & Spencer earlier this year on a long-term national logistics and warehousing arrangement with Gist Limited. Under the landmark contract, Gist is managing M&S' food supply chain in the UK and Southern Ireland. Verity Chase, appointed as director in the Commercial team in July this year, led the deal.

Other key areas of expertise include facilities management, property management, supply of goods and services and manufacturing and procurement in sectors ranging from food & drink to retail and real estate. The team advises major corporates and public sector clients including BP, United Biscuits, CBRE, Teva, Cookson Group plc and the Department of Health.