Owens Group adds BTS Haulage to the fold

Owens Group has snapped up Greater Manchester-based BTS Haulage for an undisclosed sum.

The deal effective from Tuesday 17 July, will see BTS Haulage continue to operate as a standalone brand within the Llanelli-headquartered Owens Group.

In a statement Owens said the purchase of the Carrington-located haulier would complement the company’s strategic objective to increase its presence and activities in its key geographical markets.

BTS Haulage was set up in 1957 by Neil Gilson and Neil’s son, Crispin joined the business in 1980 and became MD in 1990.

It provides transport services to customers throughout the UK, with a focus on deliveries out of and into the North West of England. Crispin Gilson will continue to manage the BTS business.

The enlarged group will operate a fleet of more than 550 vehicles with an annual turnover of approximately £90m.

In its most recently published accounts for the year to 30 June 2017, Owens Group (listed as Owens Road Services at Companies House) had an annual turnover of £56m. BTS Haulage in the year to 31 December 2016 was profitable and had annual turnover of £7.6m.

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Huw Owen, MD of Owens, said: “I am delighted to welcome Crispin, Neil and all of their colleagues at BTS into the group. I have always been impressed with the reputation that BTS have in the market for customer service and with the quality of their staff and vehicles.

“Neil and Crispin have nurtured and developed their business over the last 60 years based on the same family business values and principles as we have always had within Owens, focusing on excellent customer service.

"I am looking forward to working with Crispin to continue to develop the BTS business.”

Crispin Gilson, MD of BTS, said: “Having developed the BTS business and brand over a number of years, my father and myself are extremely proud of what we have created.

“We believe that the time is now right for the business to move to its next stage of development and that being part of the Owens group will facilitate our future growth.”