News / Culina to acquire GreenWhiteStar businesses, including Stobart and Pallet Network

Fresh food and drinks logistics company Culina Group says it has “significantly strengthened” its position in the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector after reaching agreement to acquire GreenWhiteStar Acquisitions, which includes Eddie Stobart, Eddie Stobart Europe, iForce, The Pallet Network and The Logistics People.

While the terms of the agreement and the consideration involved have not been disclosed, GreenWhiteStar Acquisitions has a turnover of more than £2.2bn ($3.04bn) with a combined workforce of around 22,000 staff, approaching 185ha of warehousing with a combined fleet of more than 5,500 vehicles.

Thomas van Mourik, Culina Group CEO, said: “This move significantly expands our ambient network and will enable us to benefit from synergies and efficiencies that will improve our service offer to customers even further.”

The addition of more than 40 GreenWhiteStar Acquisitions distribution centres means Culina Group is now the largest privately owned logistics provider in the UK with a network of more than 100 distribution centres.

“The combining of our two businesses will create major opportunities for significantly growing our market share.” said William Stobart, GreenWhiteStar executive chairman, who has been allocated a place on the Culina board as deputy group CEO.