OakNorth, the digital bank focused on entrepreneurs, has provided a senior loan to support Pelican Capital’s investment in EMS, a global provider of technology-driven services for reusable supply chain assets. The transaction was advised by Altenburg Advisory, a specialist in debt financing for private equity-backed and owner-managed businesses.
Pelican Capital, a UK-based private equity firm, is known for backing founder-led and management-owned companies, particularly in software and technology-enabled services. This partnership is structured to facilitate an ownership transition while providing the operational and financial expertise needed to accelerate EMS’s growth.
The mission-critical role of EMS
Founded in 2003, EMS operates in a specialized segment of the global supply chain, focusing on the management of returnable equipment used by multinational Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) companies.
These assets include:
- Pallets and crates: Essential for transporting high-volume goods
- Totes and reusable containers: Managing lifecycle, recovery, and reuse to reduce waste and costs
By combining operational expertise with advanced data analytics, EMS delivers visibility into complex equipment networks, where even small efficiency improvements can generate significant financial impact for clients.
Investment objectives and future roadmap
The investment from Pelican Capital, supported by OakNorth’s senior debt facility, will fund the next phase of EMS’s expansion. Key priorities include:
- International expansion: Growing the company’s presence across global markets
- Proprietary technology development: Enhancing the EMS platform and its data capabilities
- Advanced analytics: Delivering deeper insights and predictive intelligence for multinational customers
Leadership perspectives on the partnership
Anthony Francis, Partner and Co-founder of Pelican Capital, highlighted EMS’s strong market reputation and the opportunity to build on its technology and analytics foundation.
Joe Hebblewhite, CEO of EMS, emphasized that the partnership will accelerate the company’s development. “Our role is to bring clarity to complexity,” he noted, underscoring the value of deeper insights across supply chain networks.
Kieran McKenzie, Director of Debt Finance at OakNorth, described EMS as a “high-quality, technology-enabled business” with an attractive asset-light model and strong recurring revenues.
Deal summary: key players
- Target company: EMS (global supply chain asset management)
- Lead investor: Pelican Capital (UK private equity)
- Senior debt provider: OakNorth (digital bank)
- Debt advisor: Altenburg Advisory
- Sector focus: Technology-enabled services and FMCG logistics
