News / Pallet-Track branches out with takeover of haulier Horley Services

UK network Pallet-Track has made the unusual move of buying a haulage and distribution firm.

The network has acquired Horley Services Group, based at Redhill, close to Gatwick and the M25 and M23 motorways, whose workforce will transfer to Pallet-Track this month.

However, the move is not the start of an acquisition strategy, said Pallet-Track founder Nigel Parkes.

“Pallet-Track is more in the business of bringing new members into the network – we have introduced five this year alone.

“However, Horleys represented a strategic acquisition – and very much a one-off . This was a too good an opportunity to miss and one that will help us reinforce our presence in the all-important south-east of the UK where we already have 10 member companies,” he said.

The group operates four warehouses, totalling 45,000sq ft, as well as offering road transport, freight forwarding and pick-and-pack services.

According to its latest accounts filed with Companies House, for the year to April 2015 it reported turnover of £1.78m and a profit of £183,000

Mr Parkes added: “Since the business was created in the late 1950s, Horley Road Services has established a strong and stable presence along the M25 and M23 corridor ,and this heritage of great service will complement our offering in and around the capital and boost the Greater London service out of the Pallet-Track southern hub.

“In December we introduced another big name into the pallet network in the shape of Alan Firmin, which is located in Kent. This also underlines our ambition to make 2017 another growth year for Pallet-Track.”