Hammond heads north
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• Surrey operator Hammond Transport has bought Norseman Freight of Birkenhead, giving it a northern base from which to expand.
Redhill-based Hammond has been in the market to acquire or partner a northern operator since January when it declared its intention to expand in the North-West (CM 17-23 Jan).
Norseman is described as "non-core business" by its owner, the Robert Smith Group. The deal is due to be finalised within a month. Norseman will now become a Hammond depot, says Hammond operations director John Cutler, but will probably retain its name. Some of Norseman's managers will be replaced: it is believed the Robert Smith Group will try to find them jobs elsewhere.
Hammond predicts its enlarged operation will turn over more than g10m a year: the Birkenhead site joins depots at Redhilt, Broadstairs, Luton, Birmingham, Lutterworth and Leeds.