Harnessing ‘trusted adviser’ relationships to help steer complex deals to success

From locations in St Athan, Wales, Arizona, U.S., and Castellon, Spain, ecube is a global expert in aircraft storage, disassembly, and transition services, with bases in the UK, Spain and USA.

Unical – headquartered in Arizona, U.S. and backed by Platinum Equity – is a leader in the commercial aerospace Used Serviceable Material market.

Baird Capital, which invests in B2B technology and services-focused companies worldwide, invested in ecube in 2020 and Partners James Benfield and Louise Kingston joined the board of directors. 

Through their investment period, Baird Capital supported the company to recruit a new leadership team to enable the retirement of the founders, to establish a U.S. footprint through the greenfield development of a new site in Arizona and to develop increasingly valuable service capabilities. 

Eversheds Sutherland advised on all elements of the transaction.

Corporate partners Catherine Eley and James Finney led the global law firm’s team, supported by Tom Howell, Principal Associate and Danielle Gibbon, Associate.

James Finney, Eversheds Sutherland, commented:


“Having acted for Baird Capital when it invested in ecube back in August 2020, it has been fantastic for Catherine and I to support the business over the past four years and see it continue to go from strength-to-strength, culminating in its sale to Unical Aviation. We wish the Management team of ecube every further success under Unical’s ownership.”

James Benfield, Baird Capital, commented:


“Eversheds Sutherland has once again been a tremendous partner to our group. Their legal technical excellence, responsiveness, and commercial acumen to successfully navigate the deal to completion makes them a great firm to work with. They were exemplary in their commitment to securing a great outcome for all shareholders.”