Pentalver-at-London-Gateway

Nick Matthews, formerly MD of Roadways Container Logistics, has joined Pentalver as general manager of its Cannock operation just weeks after Roadways was bought by Maritime Transport.

Matthews will be responsible for running Pentalver (Cannock) – its 22 acre inland container port facility north of Birmingham – which includes 260 employees and its rail, storage and container refurbishment activities.

“At Pentalver we have ambitious plans and a key part of my new role is working with everyone across the depot and encouraging  them to aim high and work hard to ensure we all deliver on our commitments, both to external customers and internal colleagues alike”, said Matthews.

Matthews became MD of Roadways in 2010, after working alongside current Pentalver MD Chris Lawrenson when he also held the role between 2006 and 2008.

Lawrenson said of Matthews joining Pentalver:  “We are delighted that Nick has joined us as his industry knowledge and skills will bring untold benefit to our Cannock operations and to the future success of Pentalver.

“Next year will see the announcement of several new strategic initiatives and Nick will play a key role in the planning and implementation of these, including a major infrastructure investment project and employee development programme.”

Aegeus Transport, parent company to Roadways Container Logistics  was acquired by rival Maritime Transport in August for an undisclosed sum. The deal saw Felixstowe-based Maritime take on the entire RCL business, comprising of: 374 employees, a fleet of 241 vehicles, sites at Hainault, Felixstowe, Leeds, Manchester, Nursling in Southampton, and the company’s Birmingham Intermodal Freight Terminal (BIFT) at Birch Coppice in Tamworth.

Figures filed at Companies House show that Roadways was in robust financial health before the purchase. For the year-ending 28 December 2013 it achieved a pre-tax profit of £1.55m on a turnover of £48.5m, compared to a pre-tax profit of £2m and a turnover of £46.2m in the previous financial year.

Combining Maritime and Roadways’ performance in financial year 2013 the company would have a turnover of £182m, achieving a combined pre-tax profit of £3.67m with 1,532 employees.

The combined turnover for Pentalver Transport and Pentalver (Cannock) in financial year-ending December 2013 was £83.526m (compared to £84.705m in the previous financial year).

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