AE Parker

Knights of Old has acquired Chichester-based A.E. Parker Warehousing and Distribution in a deal that creates a haulier with 500 staff, 200 trucks, 225 trailers and 300,000ft² of warehousing.

Pall-Ex and fellow Partnerlink member A.E Parker, which will continue to trade under its own name, is a family-owned haulage and storage business that has been operating for over 75 years. Its distribution network covers the UK, with partners in Ireland and mainland Europe.

Mike Bacon, group director of Knights of Old, said of the deal: “We have continued to expand over recent years and now have depots in several strategic locations across the UK. Due to A.E Parker's location and enviable reputation in the area, we are confident that this acquisition will strengthen our operations and enhance our wide range of services”.

The acquisition follows the December 2011 merger of Kettering-based Knight of Old with the Mainland Group.

John Parker, MD of A.E Parker, added: “We have enjoyed a long standing and mutually beneficial business relationship and this is an exciting development.

"We will be able to offer enhanced services to our clients and are confident that being part of Knights of Old Group will help us to deliver our future growth plans.”

The news came on the same day as Knights of Old paid tribute to its former chairman Donald Knight, who died yesterday (2 May).

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