RT Keedwell

MT Top 100 company RT Keedwell Group has bought RJ Jones Group in a deal that supports the firm’s existing customer base, while opening the door for new clients.

The group signed the deal last week with the Holywell-based haulier, which also has sites in Cardiff, Desborough and Scarborough. Approximately 90 vehicles, 230-plus trailers and 120 staff have transferred to RT Keedwell.

“Trading is still challenging, but looking positive,” said Jon White, group commercial director at RT Keedwell. “It is timely for RJ Jones and a strategic fit for us.”

RJ Jones Group emerged from a pre-pack of RJ Jones Haulage in March this year after the write-off of a significant debt, the loss of a major contract, and a delay in starting new work left its directors with no alternative.

White said the business was known to the group thanks to mutual customers and a trading relationship that had seen each party conduct reciprocal subcontracting work, with a crossover in the firms’ construction activities and RJ Jones’s involvement in steel transportation.

He added that the group business had enjoyed 18 months of strong organic growth, adding that this particular deal was about future growth rather than consolidation.

The deal has seen RJ Jones chairman John Jones leave the business but the other directors join the enlarged RT Keedwell Group.

Post-deal, RT Keedwell Group now has a fleet in excess of 500 vehicles and 1,200 trailers, operating from 14 UK locations.

The company’s haulage operation recently won a contract with DS Smith Packaging in Devizes from the previous incumbent. It has placed 20 new vehicles on site to support the contract.

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