On the acquisition trail
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• Transport Development Group and newcomer WRM are back on the acquisition trail with separate purchases—and they are promising more before the year is out.
WRM has bought Teynham, Kent-based Wood Distribution, which operates as Coolchain.
Wood, which has a £13m turnover, specialises in the storage, prepacking and distribution of fresh fruit and vegetables. Two-thirds of its throughput is to the distribution centres of retailers such as Tesco, Asda and Safeway. The acquisition includes Wood's core fleet of 34 Scanias, 35 reefer trailers and 12 curtainsiders.
WRM director Brian Marr says there will be no changes to Wood's 300 staff and subcontractors and the existing management team will stay.
Wood is the largest purchase so far by WRM, which has also bought Hitchin's TDP and AM Transport of Cumbernauld since it was set up last year.
WRM plans three more acquisitions this year.
TDG has acquired Newton Aycliffe-based Woodrich Holdings which has contracts with consumer goods manufacturers such as Flymo, Electrolux and Mattel Toys. The £2m deal includes Woodrich's fleet of 79 rigid and artics and 143 trailers.