Abbey Logistics

Business Description

Abbey Logistics is a niche logistics provider which specialises in the transportation of bulk liquid and powder across the UK and Northern Europe.

Background

Headquartered in Liverpool, Abbey Logistics was set up over 25 years ago by the Lucy family, developing a market lading proposition in the liquid food ingredients transportation market, with more recent diversification into the bulk powder market.  The company has demonstrated strong year-on-year growth over the past five years with turnover more than doubling following a number of acquisitions and large contract wins. The business operates from nine UK sites including Wirral, Hull, Manchester, Knowsley, Middlewich and London.

NorthEdge Investment Rationale

Abbey Logistics operates in the logistics and posts sector, which is worth around £55bn to the UK economy.

Strategy

The funding will support the existing management team, led by Steve Granite, build its market presence in the UK and Europe through growth with new and existing customers

NorthEdge Partner Jon Pickering led the transaction, with support from Investment Director Dan Matkin.

Jon Pickering said: “Abbey Logistics is led by an exceptional management team who have been with the business for more than 20 years. They fully understand the specialist logistics market they serve having carved out a high quality, nice proposition in bulk powders and liquids distribution. The company has demonstrated growth through a number of major contract wins and targeted acquisitions and this strategy will continue going forward as we target further expansion across the UK and Northern Europe.”

Steve Granite, Chief Executive at Abbey Logistics, said: “NorthEdge is the right partner for Abbey and we have been suitably impressed with the private equity firm since we first met. Our customers and employees will see the benefit as having a new partner on board, it will enable us to develop our business and continue growing from solid foundations. Through organic and acquisitive growth, Abbey will become the market leader in both the liquid and powder transportation markets in the UK.”