Total Capital Partners-backed Walkers Transport acquires M.T.H Express Services Ltd

[2 May 2019] Leeds and Manchester-based Walkers Transport, a leading UK transport and third-party logistics specialist, today announced that it has completed the acquisition of M.T.H. Express Services Limited (“MTH”).  The price was not disclosed.

MTH is a member of Palletways, the UK’s leading pallet network, and trades under both its own name and as “Palletways 51.” It operates from Fradley, near Lichfield in Staffordshire and covers Staffordshire, Shropshire, and Derbyshire. In the year to 31 December 2018, MTH had sales of c £9m.  Following the acquisition, the enlarged Walkers Transport group has a combined turnover of £48m.

In 2017, Total Capital Partners backed the £20m management buyout of Walkers Transport, led by CEO Richard Simpson.  Having grown strongly in recent years, Walkers Transport moves over 1.2 million pallets each year.  Further growth is being targeted both organically and through complementary acquisitions in selected target territories.

Richard Simpson, Chief Executive Officer of Walkers Transport said: “I am delighted to welcome all the employees and customers of MTH to the Walkers Transport family.  We are looking forward to working with Dez Shirley and the MTH management team to further grow the business and service offering as part of the enlarged Walkers Transport Group.  We expect this acquisition to benefit both MTH’s staff and existing and future customers, as a result of being part of a larger group with greater reach across the Midlands, North of England and nationally.  MTH has a great reputation in our industry and this transaction fits perfectly with our ambition to grow further, both organically and via targeted M&A.”

Mark Buttler, Partner at Total Capital Partners said: “We are very pleased to have supported Walkers Transport in the acquisition of MTH and we look forward to helping the Walkers management team continue to grow their business over the next few years.”