'Taking a sneaky look at the options, the service provides company details and analysis on which companies may be a good acquisition as well as those that have cash to spend,' said Plimsoll acquisitions and mergers manager David Pattison. 'If there is a company out there that suits your needs, we'll find it.' The analysis features a valuation of 662 companies from the fresh produce industry with current and future values. The list is split into two types of company: buy options and sell options.

'We look at the likelihood of companies being bought and the reasons why,' said Pattison. 'This service is a bit more focused than our usual analysis as we have a go at picking out the companies that businesses could acquire.' The analysis looks at the size of companies and prices them as well as predicting problems according to a historical model.

The service costs £600 and a free confidential proposal is available from Pattison by calling 01642 626400.