BOC targets Onward in acquisition drive
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by Juliet Parish • Acquisition-hungry BOC Distribution Services is talking to Onward Transport about buying the 60-year-old business.
An announcement on the future of the West Yorkshirebased firm, which has 150 drivers, is expected on Monday; the two companies have subcontracted work to each other for at least the past 12 months.
BOC Distribution Services, which runs 800 vehicles, has made no secret of its wish to expand its ambient goods logistics arm, Interbrand. It said last June that it planned to add another transport business to Interbrand's portfolio (M 24-30 June), but it refuses to confirm that it is planning to buy Ackworth-based food distribution company Onward from the Storey family. "BOC Distribution Services has a reciprocal working relationship with Onward Transport and we are seeking to extend that arrangement," says BOC.
Onward has been "exploring several options" after its distribution partnership with a Bristolbased operator ended earlier this year. It shared loads with Baylis Transport in the SouthWest until it was bought by AAH Distribution Services.
Around 350 Onward Transport staff would be affected by the deal, which would include depots at Ackworth, South Kirby, Castleford, Livingston and Purfleet,