Reading, UK: The Cold Chain Federation has acquired Commercial Transport Publishing, the owner of industry magazine titles Cold Chain News and website Global Cold Chain News.
The Cold Chain Federation is the trade association for businesses that operate temperature-controlled storage and distribution operations in the UK. It represents more than 250 companies that operate from more the 500 warehouses (40m square metres) and over 50,000 refrigerated vehicles.
Cold Chain News is a monthly magazine covering news, events and analysis about the UK cold chain. The Global Cold Chain News website and weekly e-news covers UK and international news, together these titles reach more than 4,000 cold chain professionals.
The magazines will continue to operate independently, with distinct editorial, run by the same team under a management contract between the Cold Chain Federation and M1 Marketing.
Cold Chain Federation chief executive, Shane Brennan said: “We are delighted to have made this acquisition. Over the past three years we have been on a journey to transform our organisation so as to ensure it has an impactful voice on the major issues; brings professionals together to learn and problem-solve; and invests in the advice and research that benefits the whole UK cold chain.
“The Cold Chain Federation is owned by its members. The income we generate is reinvested in our industry and we have decided to invest in Cold Chain News because it will help us grow our community and showcase our activities.
“This acquisition will also present opportunities to grow the value of our organisation as a unique, specialist, marketing channel for current and future suppliers of equipment and services to the UK cold chain. We look forward to exploring and developing these ideas in coming months.”
Liam Olliff, former owner of Commercial Transport Publishing and proprietor of M1 Marketing said: “This deal provides the Cold Chain News team with the opportunity to take our publishing offer to the next level. We very much share the values and ambition of CCF for the future of our vital industry and we know that together we can make a difference.
“From the start of discussions it was obvious how, working together, we could provide unique insights, a platform for knowledge-sharing and high-quality marketing opportunities for businesses across the UK cold chain.”
Day to day management of Cold Chain News and Global Cold Chain News will continue to be delivered by publishing manager, Tina Massey; editorial will be run by Dean Stiles and Sally Nash; for issues to do with Cold Chain Federation activities, events and membership activities contact membership director, Sharon Mughal.
Law firm Blandy & Blandy’s Corporate & Commercial team advised the Cold Chain Federation on its acquisition of Commercial Transport Publishing, the owner of Cold Chain News and Global Cold Chain News.
David Few, partner, Blandy & Blandy’s Corporate & Commercial team, said: “It was a pleasure to assist the Federation with this acquisition, which I am sure will further help the Federation continue to provide invaluable support to the logistics sector particularly during these most difficult and challenging times.”
Brennan, said: “We were expertly guided through this process by the Blandy & Blandy team. It was not something we have done before and so having David and his colleagues’ experience behind us was vital and reassuring at every stage.”
“We are delighted to have made this acquisition. Over the past three years we have been on a journey to transform our organisation so as to ensure it has an impactful voice on the major issues; brings professionals together to learn and problem-solve; and invests in the advice and research that benefits the whole UK cold chain,” Brennan said.
