Delivery specialist DX Group has purchased Northern Ireland family firm Express Freight for an undisclosed sum, as part of the group’s wider acquisition drive.

Express Freight, which specialises in parcels, pallets and freight deliveries, is based at a three-acre site in Moyraverty, Craigavon, 25 miles from Belfast city centre.

The company operates 54 daily delivery routes and employs over 115 staff.

Its purpose-built depot has approximately 17,500sq ft of raised warehouse floor space, 38 loading bays, a rear access bay, as well as around 6,000sq ft storage area and over 6,500 sq ft of office accommodation; the depot also has a 10,000 sq ft drive-through canopy.

DX said the acquisition of Express Freight helps expand DX’s freight division, which specialises in the delivery and collection of irregular dimensions and weight (IDW) items.

The management team of Express Freight will remain with the business, to ensure a successful integration into the DX network.

As part of its growth plans, DX said it is actively pursuing further accretive acquisitions.

It added: “The group is well-positioned to continue consolidating the fragmented logistics market. DX is also evaluating opportunities to strengthen its offering in integrated logistics and expand into new end markets.”

Paul Ibbetson, DX Group chief executive officer, said: “I am both delighted and excited to announce our first M&A activity under H.I.G. ownership with the acquisition of Express Freight which is a natural fit for DX.

“We believe that integrating Express Freight within the DX Group will generate significant growth opportunities, whilst expanding the presence of the DX brand, in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

“We are confident that the Express Freight customers will benefit from joining a larger group that is incredibly focused on service-quality and customer satisfaction.

“On behalf of everyone at DX, I am delighted to welcome Michael Mitchell, Lynne Brown and all of the team, and I look forward to further success with Express Freight as part of DX Group.”

Mitchell commented: “We are extremely pleased to be joining the DX Group. Both our businesses are strongly aligned in terms of delivering service excellence and providing local customer services.

“DX have been on a fantastic growth journey over the past five years and are well positioned to continue this. We are incredibly excited to be joining the Group and playing our part in the DX success story moving forwards.”