CM Downton Limited, one of the UK’s leading logistics groups, has just been acquired by EmergeVest, an international private equity investor, in a £75 million transaction. EmergeVest will be providing additional capital to finance the company’s growth, while the Downton family will continue to serve their roles as senior management.
This is the seventh acquisition made by EmergeVest in the UK logistics sector, with a portfolio including companies such as Adjuno, Allport Cargo Services, NFT Distribution, NR Evans and Palletforce.
“The Downton family, along with a fabulous team of people, have built a first-class operation and one that we are extremely proud of. The sale of the business has not been taken lightly, however we have always understood the importance of growth and a proper succession plan. This business is now ready for fresh energy, vigour and focus. EmergeVest are the correct successors to achieve this. They have a great vision and are building an unrivalled UK network, encompassing freight forwarding, pallet, chilled and now our ambient network,” said Andy Downton, managing director of CM Downton.
Downton was established in 1955 and it is headquartered in Gloucestershire. It generates annual revenue of £120 million, operates 600 tractor units and 1,800 trailers, and employs 1,350 people across a comprehensive UK network, including Moreton Valence (headquarters), Quedgeley, Shepton Mallet, Chepstow, Sharpness, Hardwicke, Tuffley, Runcorn, Manchester, Dunstable, Leeds, Chatham and Tilbury.
Its client list includes some of the UK’s largest companies across a range of industry sectors, including food and drink, retail, manufacturing, ink and paper, print and publishing, energy, waste and consumer goods, and it includes names such as AB InBev, Dyson, Whirlpool, Fever-Tree, Saica Paper, UPM-Kymmene Corporation, Frontline and Marketforce.
“We are excited at the opportunity to bring Downton into the EmergeVest family and to be investing in a business with such significant potential,” commented on the announcement Heath Zarin, CEO and Managing Director of EmergeVest.
