top100

These interactive tables enable you to explore Motor Transport's Top 100 2008.

Click on the tabs at the top of the table to view the different data sets. You can also click on the column headers to sort the table data from highest to lowest (or click again to sort from lowest to highest). If you are viewing on a mobile device some of the columns will be hidden, in order to present the most important information - just click on the + icon against each row to expand the view to show all the data for that row. You can use the search box to quickly find a particular company.

Please refer to the notes to explain the methodology behind each entry.

Largest 100 companiesGrowth in turnoverProfit per employeeReturn on salesGrowth in profitSales per employeeNotes

The tables were finalised on 17 November. We have taken all reasonable steps to ensure the accuracy of our calculations. Tables show turnover and pre-tax profit figures generated solely or primarily from the UK transport activities of the businesses concerned unless otherwise stated. Figures shown for employees are for those employed solely or primarily in the UK. Those for trucks and other vehicles, trailers and depots relate to the UK. Growth in turnover table includes companies outside the Top 100 with a turnover of £10m-plus.

Alan Firmin’s turnover and profit figures include income from farming and property rental.

Arcese UK’s growth in turnover in 2007 was due largely to a new contract with Case New Holland.

Archbold Logistics acquired Direct Pallet Services in September.

Ballyvesey Holdings does not report separately on its transport activities in its annual accounts. The company also operates commercial vehicle dealerships and manufactures trailers. In the year to 30 September 2007 it made a pre-tax profit of £2.03m on a turnover of £256.8m. That compares with a pre-tax loss of £948,000 on a turnover of £251.5m in the previous year.

City Link turnover figures exclude share of franchisees.

Clipper Group’s turnover and profit figures include the activities of truck dealership Northern Commercials. It contributed £34.34m to the group’s turnover in the year to April 2007 compared with £14.4m in the previous year; it was acquired in December 2005.

Culina Logistics was integrated into Baylis Logistics on 12 March 2008. The directors state in their annual report to 31 March 2008 that the results for that year reflect the substantial reorganisation costs incurred in preparation for the integration. In its final year as an independent company Culina made a £3.5m profit on a turnover of £90m and the directors anticipate that the combined business will generate a turnover of approximately £125m in its first full year.

Derek Cooper (Transport)’s assets were acquired by Turners (Soham) and Matthews International in January.

Dodds Group, well-known for its 21st Century Logistics operation, acquired part of Les Knight Transport from the administrators in October.

DSV acquired Roadferry in March.

FedEx UK figures to 31 May 2007 cover 14 months.

Hargreaves also has a variety of energy, commodities and industrial activities. Its total turnover in the year to 31 May 2008 was £404.9m.

Howard Tenens also has interests in property development, management and retailing. Total turnover to 30 September 2007 was £62.9m.

John G Russell (Transport)’s turnover to 31 March 2007 excludes £9.98m generated by the production of chest freezers.

K-Line took control of Ralph Morton in January adding to its existing container haulier James Kemball.

Kammac’s turnover figure to 31 December 2007 includes revenue generated by its keg and cask manufacturing and repair activities and a micro brewery.

London City Bond’s figures to 30 September 2006 run from 1 April 2005.

Norbert Dentressangle’s figures for 2007 include revenue from the acquisition of Christian Salvesen.

Online is owned by Pass J Holdings and the figures to 31 January 2007 run from 1 January 2006.

Parcelforce Worldwide owner Royal Mail Holdings made a pre-tax loss of £77m in the 53 weeks to 30 March 2008 on a turnover of £9,238m.

Pentalver Transport and Roadways Container Logistics (RCL) are both owned by Maersk. On 20 November, RCL was sold to Aegeus Transport.

Prestons of Potto is the trading style of Richard Preston & Son.

Rhys Davies Freight Logistics underwent an MBO in May.

Ryder’s figures include rental and contract hire vehicles.

Saints Transport’s figures include the combined pretax profit from Saints Transport and Saints Transport (Heathrow).

Stiller Group acquired James Durran Transport in April.

Stobart Group acquired James Irlam & Sons for £59.9m in March and the chilled and ambient activities of Innovate, which was in administration, in July for £913,000. Stobart Group was formed through merger in September 2007 when the group, previously known as the Westbury Property Fund, acquired Stobart Holdings. Figures to February 2008 are for 14 months.

Taygroup’s figures to March 2008 are the first since it consolidated its subsidiaries Bee Line Transport and Taylored Lines into one business.

Thomas Cradley Holdings (TCH) includes Suttons Tankers, Suttons Distribution and Suttons International. £55.9m of

TCH’s total turnover to April 2008 was generated by its UK activities.

TDG was acquired by Laxey Partners for £222m in October. Group turnover in 2007 was £669.5m and pretax profit was £15.7m.

Welch’s garage operating and crane hire activities contributed £4.83m and £641,000 respectively to its total turnover to 31 December 2007.

WH Bowker’s total turnover to 31 December 2006 was £95.5m with £83.5m contributed by its vehicle dealerships.

Wincanton acquired Hanbury Davies in January for £25m and CEL Group for £19.5m in November. Wincanton’s total group turnover to 31 March 2008 was £2,164.7m with a pre-tax profit of £36.7m.