Market Drayton, UK: Culina Group, which provides shared-user logistics services for food and drink companies, is to take over the supply chain activities of Cert Octavian Holdings for an undisclosed sum.
The the addition of five facilities owned and operated by Cert Octavian extends Culina’s ambient distribution centres to eight in the UK. Culina will also take over Cert Octavian distribution contracts.
Culina Group chief executive, Thomas van Mourik says: “This announcement is further evidence of our commitment to double the size of the business in the next five years.”
“We will be looking for similar opportunities that will allow us to add value for food and drink customers through the innovation and competitive supply chain solutions that set us apart.”
Octavian’s fine wine cellarage business, based at Corsham, Wiltshire, remains with its current owner, Octavian Wine Services. “Our fine wine business is operating at full capacity with over £1bn of fine and specialist wine already in our care,” says Nigel Jagger, chairman of Octavian Wine Services.
Thomas van Mourik, Culina Group chief executive: “further evidence of our commitment to double the size of the business in five years.”
“Global demand is growing and the sale of the logistics business provides us with the opportunity to make significant future investment to grow the Octavian brand and provide our exceptional services to new markets.”
“We are acquiring some excellent contracts, facilities and people. This significantly expands our ambient network and will enable us to drive through synergies and efficiencies that will benefit all our existing customers and allow us to offer an even better service,” van Mourik says.
Culina and Cert Octavian have shared facilities at Dudley and Rotherham. These operations now become part of Culina’s network as do Cert Octavian warehouses at Hoddesdon, Lutterworth and Middleton.
In the coming weeks Culina will finalise the details of the acquisition and commence the implementation of its expanded network. The primary aim is to ensure that all current and prospective customers continue to benefit from market-leading levels of service, Culina said in a statement today.
