Turners looks for "critical mass" in containers

The MD of Turners (Soham), Paul Day, has described its recent purchase of container haulier Dart Distribution as "an opportunity to expand and get critical mass in the sector".

Turners acquired Felixstowe-based Dart last month for an undisclosed sum. It already had its own 40-truck container haulage operation in Felixstowe - with Dart a tenant on the same site - but Day admits that growth had stalled during the recession.

"With the two businesses combined we have got a reasonable container operation and fleet. When the opportunity arose we decided to take it," he explains.

Day feels that the economy is slowly starting to pick up and as a result there will be growth in container traffic. He adds: "People have made dramatic cuts to their fleets, as a result there will be more opportunities for sound companies on a solid financial footing to expand to meet the market demands."

The deal also gives Turners a presence in Teesport, Leeds and Tamworth.

Dart's current MD, Andy Packer, will remain with the combined operation.