Clipper Logistics revealed its intentions to float on the London Stock Exchange earlier this week, joining the growing number of listed logistics companies.
But it’s not the first time the Leeds-based operator has considered an IPO.
Back in 2009, then Clipper chief executive Steve Parkin (now executive chairman) revealed the company's hopes to offer shares on the stock within three years. Parkin told Motortransport.co.uk’s sister website Commercialmotor.com that it wanted to bring forward its flotation plans to generate the funds needed to continue with its growth strategy.
Then nothing. The trail had gone cold.
Until January of this year, when a spokesman for Clipper told The Hub that it had ‘no firm plans’ for an IPO this year, after a media report reignited interest in an IPO with the suggestion - ultimately proved to be on the money - that the operator was gearing up to list in the spring (okay that part was off).
DX Group
DX Group became the most recent logistics firm to start selling shares on the LSE’s AIM earlier this year. Since trading began in February, the operator has seen its share price rise from the starting price of 100p to a high of 137p per share on 6 May.
UK Mail has seen huge changes in its share price over the last twelve months, but has slipped from a high of 715p in February to its current place around the 570p mark.
Other LSE success stories are Wincanton, which has seen its share price double compared to the same time last year (it is currently trading at 119p per share, albeit from a low base), while Fowler Welch parent Dart Group has also seen a year-on-year boom in share price, trading at 290p per share, up from 169p.
Hargreaves Services, however, has seen prices fluctuate over the last twelve months.
The share price that Clipper plans to enter the market at currently remains unknown, at least until the company publishes its admission prospectus. But after winning a string of major contracts this year and a strong provisional turnover figure for the year ended 30 April, The Hub expects Clipper will see a lot of willing investors.