Hanbury Davies bought out by Wincanton

Leading logistics firm Wincanton has continued its buying spree with the surprise acquisition of Hanbury Davies, one the UK’s biggest container hauliers, for £25m.

Wincanton has only recently ventured into the container market launching relatively operations in Alconbury and Marchwood near Southampton. However the purchase of Felixstowe-based Hanbury Davies (HD) has quickly made it one of the biggest players in the sector.

Commenting on the acquisition, Martin Taylor, managing director, Wincanton, says: “The considerable strengthening of our container activities in the UK complements our market leading intermodal business in mainland Europe and extends our offering for our existing customer base. In Hanbury Davies, we have found a business that shares our vision and provides a strong cultural fit with Wincanton.”

HD operates from 21 locations across the UK running almost 500 trucks and in the year to April 2007 it turned over around £52m. Wincanton has been fiercely acquisitive of late: last year it bought brick transport firm Swales Haulage adding to its previous purchases of Lane Group and RDL Distribution. Wincanton’s share price rose 12p following the announcement.