SW Wreford & Sons snaps up rival family haulier

One of Britain’s oldest hauliers, SW Wreford & Sons, has acquired Northampton rival P Chaplin & Sons for an undisclosed value.

The 107-year-old operator has an annual turnover of £6m and runs 60 HGVs and says it was approached by P Chaplin's MD, Thomas Chaplin, who was looking to retire. Negotiations over the sale have been ongoing for the last six months.

As part of the deal, 40 P Chaplin employees will transfer under TUPE regulations to SW Wreford, joining an 85-strong workforce. The combined business will have a turnover of £10m, and a fleet of 80 vehicles.

SW Wreford’s fleet director, Andy Wreford, tells Roadtransport.com: “For years we have shared many of the same clients, and we are happy to be buying a long-established family haulier.”

For the full story see the 7 July edition of Commercial Motor.