Framptons Transport Services acquired by Gregory Distribution

Gregory Distribution has bought fellow South-West haulier Framptons Transport Services.

The acquisition is Gregory’s fifth in just over two years and further expands its footprint in the West Country, adding 245 employees, a fleet of 60 vehicles and 220,000ft² of warehousing to its 22 sites throughout the UK, home to 550 trucks and 1,600 employees.

Furthermore both parties are members of Palletline and the Hazchem Network.

John Gregory, chief executive of Gregory, said of the deal: “The Framptons business has a heritage and reputation which is similar to our own and we both share the same business ethos, so we will be keen to maintain the first-class standards already in place, and also to build on synergies between both businesses.”

The Frampton business will operate as a stand-alone business unit within the distribution area of the Gregory Group.

In February 2013 Gregory acquired Philson Haulage, followed by Interoute Transport Services (July 2013); M&D Transport (July 2014) and in August 2014 it signed a deal with Portsmouth-based MMD (Shipping Services) to take over its fresh produce distribution operation at Portsmouth International Port.

As of 28 September 2013 Gregory had a turnover of £123m, incorporating its share of its joint-venture with Hayton Coulthard alongside its subsidiary Kay Transport – the Palletways member it acquired back in August 2009.

Framptons posted a turnover of £16.9m, and pre-tax profit £601,812, for the financial year-ending 29 June 2014.

Andrew Frampton, chief executive of Framptons Transport Services, said: “Our company’s diversification in recent years from pure haulage into a highly complex warehousing and distribution operation has led to significant growth in both turnover and employment numbers.

"We hope to expand and improve on our offering to our customers and realise more opportunities.”