Pentalver is to be acquired by United States-based rail freight company Genesse & Wyoming (G&W) for an undisclosed sum.
The deal will see G&W, which also owns multimodal operator Freightliner, acquire the container haulier from parent APM Terminals in the first quarter of 2017, subject to closing conditions being fulfilled.
G&W said the deal will allow it to boost its service in the UK by utilising both Pentalver’s 150-strong fleet and Freightliner’s fleet of approximately 250 trucks, which the latter uses for local collections and deliveries from its inland rail terminals nationwide.
G&W said the deal will also enhance its UK rail and storage options both inland and at Pentalver’s port sites including Felixstowe, Southampton, London Gateway and Tilbury.
Pentalver will continue to be overseen by MD Chris Lawrenson and will operate as part of G&W’s UK/Europe region.
Lawrenson said the acquisition will aid Pentalver’s growth plans.
“Joining the G&W group is a massive opportunity to enhance the services, capabilities and overall capacity of Pentalver and along with subsidiaries such as Freightliner together we will have the ability to offer great services to all customers in the UK.
"The future is extremely exciting and will be a major step change in the UK container intermodal market,” he added.
Jack Hellmann, president and CEO of G&W, commented, “The acquisition of Pentalver is an excellent strategic fit with our existing intermodal offering in the UK.
“Amidst the dramatic changes that are structurally altering the global shipping industry, we are pleased to be enhancing our service capabilities to meet the long term needs of our intermodal customers in the UK.”
Combined turnover at sister companies Pentalver Cannock and Pentalver Transport increased 7.4% to £98.6m in the year ended 31 December 2015. Pre-tax profit rose 10.6% to £5.5m.
