News / Acquisition-hungry Carousel scoops up air freight specialist BDA

Acquisitive Carousel Logistics, which calls itself a “high performance service-logistics provider”, has boosted its time-critical operations through the acquisition of BDA Logistics Innovation. 

BDA is a spare parts logistics specialist operating from mainland Europe into the UK and Ireland with a dedicated freighter operation of two ATR72s, wet-leased from Swiss company Zimex. It operates between Maastricht, Birmingham, Frankfurt and Dublin. 

Carousel, which has 10 strategic centres across Europe, provides first- and final-mile delivery options, field engineer and dealer services, air and road line-hauls, in-night distribution, warehousing,FSLs and returns management solutions.

It also has a proprietary technology platform, Gateway, which gives customers access to all transport data in their supply chains. 

“With its impressive client portfolio and high service levels, we have admired BDA for some time, particularly because they share our belief in delivering exceptional service solutions,” said Carousel co-founder and chief executive Graham Martin. 

“As the demand for service-logistics continues to grow, it is important that we provide the right technology, network and services that our clients need. By utilising our established technology infrastructure, we can connect the two companies easily, bringing huge benefits to clients and staff alike.” 

The acquisition is Carousel’s third in three years, funded by PE firm Livingbridge, and is expected to boost company revenues by 50%. BDA will be integrated and rebranded. 

BDA group managing director Kevin Turner said: “The way in which Carousel has grown so dramatically, has been really impressive to watch in recent years.  

“In joining the wider group of companies, we can extend our service portfolio and offer agile technologies, all for benefit of our clients. Plus, with an innovative culture and award-winning commitment to staff training and development, there is also an exciting opportunity for staff too. We can’t wait to get started.” 

Carousel noted it was interested in further acquisitions.