Challenge: EGGER, an Austrian-based multinational business which produces wood-based panel products at two sites in the UK, decided to sell its UK forest management arm to fellow forestry business RTS Ltd. This meant a number of staff transferring to RTS and EGGER was keen to ensure the announcement was handled sensitively, reflecting new opportunities rather than raising questions about other aspects of the business.
Solution: PA Cooperative used its in-depth knowledge of forestry and wood processing to shape a package of support, including wide-ranging stakeholder engagement, relationship management and a media release, with a high-quality photograph of the senior management teams signing the agreement. We worked with both EGGER and RTS Ltd at all stages.
Result: Media coverage in the trade and business press carried the news release almost word-for-word and this helped reassure both seller, buyer and the wider industry that it was very much ‘business as usual’ for EGGER.
Impact: EGGER was happy that it was able to move on quickly and concentrate on its core business, while the staff who have transferred to RTS Ltd hit the ground running.
Testimonial: “PA Cooperative has established itself in a comparatively short time as the go-to agency for PR advice and support with an unparalleled knowledge of the UK’s forestry and wood processing sectors.
“David and Neil are seasoned professionals who deal with you directly on all aspects of the assignment and their attention to detail shines through in all their work. I recommend them to all businesses seeking time-limited support for effective media engagement and political influencing of public policy agendas.”
John Paterson, Wood Purchasing Manager,
EGGER UK Limited