A GROWING haulier business has completed the acquisition of an historic North Wales logistics firm.

The move is predicted to deliver significant growth and efficiencies for both companies.

Family-run P W Gates Distribution in Hertfordshire, has completed a deal to purchase a majority shareholding in the respected 100-year-old North Wales haulier, Mars-Jones Ltd.

P W Gates managing director Peter Gates said the deal was the culmination of months of hard work alongside professional advisers, completed without affecting the day-to-day running of either company.

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Both hauliers are shareholder members of the Wolverhampton-based Pallet-Track network and say the move will increase the scope for expansion of their palletised freight operations.

Peter started P W Gates in St Albans in the mid-1970s with one van, which he drove all over the UK and Europe.

The firm has since grown into a widely respected third-party logistics (3PL) provider from its bases in Welwyn Garden City and Bedford, servicing the needs of a range of industries.

Mars-Jones was established in 1924 and specialises in distribution, warehousing and storage, contract packing and assembly in the food and drink and mobility equipment industries.

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All staff at Mars-Jones will be retained, along with its warehouse facility in Sandycroft and its FORS Silver-rated fleet, which will be utilised on its existing contracts and shared work between the two companies.

The firms now have a combined four depots with 316,000 sq ft of warehousing and cross-dock space with 27,000 racked pallet storage locations. Its fleet is now a combined 84 vehicles and 130 trailers.

P W Gates development director Chris Lynch said: "This acquisition benefits our business enormously as it will give us and Mars Jones greater access to new markets. It has boosted our growth, and the shared infrastructure will increase our efficiency.

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"We have a lot to learn from each other and have been lucky enough to retain the whole of the Mars-Jones workforce, which will be a great asset to the existing P W Gates team.

"Combining the companies will increase our services and customer base, offering our clients more diversity, delivering what we promise, together."

Managing director of Mars-Jones Ltd, Chris Flynn, added: "I am looking forward to what the next 100 years holds for Mars-Jones in this, our centenary year.

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"We have worked alongside P W Gates for many years within the Pallet-Track network and I am delighted with this deal. We are excited to see what the two businesses will deliver collaboratively.

"The combined alliance with the group's presence in the north and south of the country will enable us to offer our clients a much broader logistical offering, enabling us to maximise our nationwide operation."

Stuart Godman, CEO at Pallet-Track, added: "This deal is great news for two very well respected, dependable, and forward-thinking companies and will only strengthen their position as Shareholder Member of our growing network.

"The success of Pallet-Track is built on this kind of collaboration, and we are excited to see the results in action."