Hertfordshire family-run haulier PW Gates has completed the acquisition of 100-year old North Wales logistics firm Mars-Jones, in a move aimed at driving growth in both companies.
PW Gates MD and founder, Peter Gates, said the acquisition is the culmination of months of hard work alongside professional advisers.
The two Pallet-Track members hailed the move as an opportunity to expand their palletised freight operations.
Under the deal, all Mars-Jones staff will be retained, along with the company’s warehouse facility in Sandycroft and its FORS Silver-rated fleet, which will be used on its existing contracts and shared work between the two companies.
The acquisition creates a business with a total of four depots, 316,000sq ft of warehousing, cross-dock space with 27,000 racked pallet storage locations, and a fleet of 84 vehicles and 130 trailers.
PW Gates was launched by Peter Gates in St Albans in the mid-1970s with one van. It has grown into a third-party logistics provider with bases in Welwyn Garden City and Bedford, and services a range of industries.
Flintshire haulier Mars Jones was established in 1924 and specialises in distribution, warehousing and storage, contract packing and assembly in the food and drink and mobility equipment industries.
PW Gates development director Chris Lynch said: “This acquisition benefits our business enormously as it will give us and Mars Jones greater access to new markets. It has boosted our growth, and the shared infrastructure will increase our efficiency.
“We have a lot to learn from each other and have been lucky enough to retain the whole of the Mars Jones workforce, which will be a great asset to the existing P W Gates team.
“Combining the companies will increase our services and customer base, offering our clients more diversity, delivering what we promise, together.”
Mars-Jones MD, Chris Flynn, added: “I am looking forward to what the next 100 years holds for Mars-Jones in this, our centenary year.
“We have worked alongside PW Gates for many years within the Pallet-Track network and I am delighted with this deal. We are excited to see what the two businesses will deliver collaboratively.
“The combined alliance with the group’s presence in the north and south of the country will enable us to offer our clients a much broader logistical offering, enabling us to maximise our nationwide operation.”
Stuart Godman, Pallet-Track chief executive, added: “This deal is great news for two very well respected, dependable, and forward-thinking companies and will only strengthen their position as shareholder members of our growing network.
“The success of Pallet-Track is built on this kind of collaboration, and we are excited to see the results in action.”
