Eddie Stobart Logistics has sold its UK Automotive Logistics business, which operates 450 vehicle transporters, to BCA Marketplace plc, the company chaired by Avril Palmer-Baunack.

In a trading statement, Palmer-Baunack, said: “On 25 August 2015 the group completed the acquisition of Eddie Stobart’s UK Automotive Logistics business.

“The acquired business operates approximately 450 vehicle transporters with strong, long-term relationships with the majority of the leading OEMs and vehicle leasing companies.

It’s a business Palmer-Baunack knows very well. She was CEO of Autologic Holdings plc, and went on to become deputy CEO of the Stobart Group following its takeover of Autologic for £12.4m in June 2012. She became executive chairman of the Stobart Group in January 2013, but left the business just three months later.

She said the acquisition by BCA, which has been funded from existing cash resources, “will bring extensive logistics expertise, geographical coverage across the UK and the scale and capacity to significantly enhance the existing logistics services within the group”.

BCA Marketplace plc, is the new name for Haversham Holdings plc which was created during 2014 to acquire and manage companies in the UK and European automotive sector, including support services, leasing, engineering and manufacturing.

On 2 April 2015, the group completed the acquisition of the BCA Group, car auction business. It also owns the web site webuyanycar.com.

Source: SupplyChainStandard