Rural haulier buy gives group way into Scotland

Apr 25 2008 by Peter McCusker, The Journal

A YORKSHIRE haulage company has added a fourth business to its North East portfolio, bringing its regional fleet to 70, and says it is still hungry for more acquisitions here.

Phillips of Seahouses has now been brought under the TAL Logistics umbrella after its owners Jim and Hazel Phillips agreed to a sale just before the deadline for the changes to capital gains tax this month.

TAL made its first foray in the North East in 2005 and says this latest acquisition will help open up the Scottish market as it aims to turn itself into a major UK player.

TAL chief executive Richard Shaw said: “Watch this space. We will not be taking a breather. It’s a case of upwards and onwards for the company.

“Our goal for this year was two acquisitions and we have achieved one by the end of the first quarter. We have several targets nationally and these include further companies in the North East.”

In 2005 TAL bought Gateshead’s David Park Transport Limited, in 2006 it bought Gallacher Bros, of Stanley, and last year the transport division of Van Hee at Sunderland.

TAL now has a national fleet of 130 flatbed and curtain-side trucks, about half in the North East. It employs about 70 people in the region.

Phillips has been a family-run business since it was started in 1947 by Jim Phillips’s grandfather. It specialises in carrying agricultural products such as seed grain, fertiliser and animal feeds as well as paper products, timber, foodstuffs and chemicals.

Originally based in Seahouses, Phillips now has 15,000sqft of warehouse space, a service garage and yard next to the A1 a few miles away at Belford, providing easy access to Scotland.

Mr Shaw said: “This was a key strategic acquisition for us which not only adds a valuable business to our group, but provides the group with new sector specialisms and a key physical presence between Newcastle and Edinburgh.”

Anthony Evans, of Sintons LLP solicitors, which advised TAL on the transaction said: “We were delighted to act for TAL on this acquisition, which is a key step on their planned expansion in the North of England. The deal needed to be completed within a tight timeframe and it required excellent teamwork between clients and all of their professional advisers.

“This acquisition gives TAL a great platform to unlock new markets between England and Scotland.”