Ballymena, Northern Ireland: DFDS has purchased McBurney Transport in a deal worth £140m.
McBurney Transport has over 800 employees and operates around 400 trucks and 1,360 trailers operating from eight locations: three in Northern Ireland, one in Ireland, three in England and one in Scotland. It also has a 25,000-pallet cold store in Liverpool.
Torben Carlsen, chief executive, DFDS, said the deal would bring “considerable scale to our existing operations in the region”. DFDS has sites in Belfast, Dublin, Cork and Rosslare.
Norman McBurney, founder of McBurney Transport Group said: “the wider market coverage, including access to DFDS’ extensive transport network, will benefit our many longstanding customers”.
“Our many loyal and dedicated employees will be comfortable and happy after this transaction.”
The deal which was agreed for DKK 1.2bn (£142.7m) also includes McBurney Refrigeration Ireland and Bondelivery NI, an ambient goods delivery operation.
Norman McBurney said in a statement: “By becoming part of DFDS, we gain access to new development opportunities. I am certain the wider market coverage, including access to DFDS’ extensive transport network, will benefit our many longstanding customers.
“I am confident that our many loyal and dedicated employees will be comfortable and happy after this transaction”, McBurney said.
Carlsen said: “DFDS is dedicated to serving the UK and Irish markets with reliable and efficient transport and logistics services.
“With increasing importance, we connect our UK and Irish services with the rest of Europe through our extensive network. With the acquisition of the McBurney Transport Group, we enhance the scope of our customer offerings, particularly towards the resilient food sector.”
The acquisition is subject to regulatory approval.
