Ferguson Transport acquires Skye Transport (Crossal)

Highlands haulier Ferguson Transport (Spean Bridge) has bought Skye Transport (Crossal) for an undisclosed sum.

The Isle of Skye-based operation will be merged with the Ferguson Transport group of companies, which trades as Ferguson Transport & Shipping. The sale on 1 March takes the group’s fleet to more than 70 trucks and 150 trailers.

Ferguson Transport MD Alasdair Ferguson (pictured second left) said: “This is an exciting chapter going forward, demonstrating further steady growth within our group in areas that we see fitting in well with existing business and contracts.

“We will continue to provide the same high standard and service that the Skye Transport team have delivered over the years and look forward to dealing with Skye Transport’s customers in the future and working with the existing staff.”

Ferguson Transport’s turnover increased 50% to £14.7m for the year ended 30 April 2014 (2013: £9.7m), while pre-tax profit leapt to £880,903 from £50,173 the previous year. Margin rose from 0.5% to 5.9% in the same period.

In its most recent financial report published at Companies House, the directors said the firm had been awarded a new shipping contract with a major customer that significantly boosted turnover and profitability.

They expect organic growth to continue and want to expand the logistics services, including the shipping side of the business, which is operated out of port facilities in Kishorn and Mallaig.

Ferguson told Motortransport.co.uk: “We are pleased with our most recent year-end financial results. These results reflect a lot of hard work by our team. Through organic growth the business has doubled in size in the last two years, currently employing circa 180 staff and therefore reflecting in our increased turnover and pre-tax profit.”

Picture L-R: Ferguson Transport company secretary/ financial director Carol MacKinnon; Ferguson Transport MD Alasdair Ferguson; Skye Transport MD Ewen MacKinnon; Skye Transport director Mairi Macpherson.