Liverpool, UK: Bibby Distribution has purchased Atchison Topeka – a specialist logistics provider for the food manufacturing industry. The deal expands Bibby’s food logistics services increasing turnover by £26m.
Iain Speak, chief executive of Bibby Distribution says: “We saw the opportunity to offer an increased range of services to our customers whilst realising further strategic growth for our own business.
“Our status as a private company allows us to take a long term view and enables us to establish strong customer relationships. We are continually seeking ways to add value to their supply chains and evolve our operations in line with their changing requirements.”
Worcester-based Atchison Topeka will continue to trade under its brand. Bibby believes there is additional opportunity to grow the business by building on the strong foundations put in place by Atchison Topeka and by “leveraging the benefits of its large logistics customer and infrastructure base”.
“This new sector of the business, providing bespoke logistics services to the food manufacturing sector, is a natural fit with our existing operations enabling us to offer a truly nationwide food ingredient supply chain capability,” Speak says.
Bibby buys Atchison Topeka: "An opportunity to offer an increased range of services to our customers." Iain Speak, chief executive, Bibby Distribution
The provision of temperature controlled road tankers, palletised distribution, warehousing, IBC decanting and promotional re-packing will be maintained by the existing workforce of 170 employees. Mike Phillips, managing director and Darren Cronshaw, operations director, remain with the company.
Phillips says: “We are confident that with the new backing we will be able to give our existing customers access to a wider range of services without losing any of the focus on quality management, which has been one of the cornerstones of our success. It will also provide the opportunity to expand the food ingredients network to new customers in wider geographic locations.”
The acquisition includes two warehouses in Droitwich and Worcester with 14,000sq metres, approved to the British Retail Consortium food manufacturing standards and includes tank washing and clean room facilities.
Bibby Distribution provides contract logistics, warehousing, distribution, systems integration and added value services. It operates from 100 UK locations and is part of the £1bn-turnover Liverpool-based Bibby Line Group.
