BSR
BSR
  • Home
  • Distressed Businesses
    • All Distressed Businessess
    • Administrations
    • Liquidations
    • Winding Up
    • Insolvency Advice  New
  • Buy a Business
    • All Businesses for Sale
    • Find a Business for Sale
    • Raising Business Finance
    • Buyer Acquisition Service   New
    • Escrow Service   New
  • Sell a Business
    • Sell Your Business
    • Seller Accounts
    • Need Help Selling?
    • Help With Finance New
    • Business Valuation
    • Business Wanted Adverts
  • Insights & News
    • View All News
    • View All Insights
  • Off-market
    • Source deals
  • Log In
  • Join Now
Join now
11111111

Home / News / DFDS acquires NI logistics firm at around 9x gross profits

DFDS acquires NI logistics firm at around 9x gross profits

Tue, 03 Jan 2023 | BUSINESS SALE

DFDS acquires NI logistics firm at around 9x gross profits

McBurney Transport, a haulage company based in Ballymena, Northern Ireland, has been acquired by Danish logistics giant DFDS in a deal valued at around £138 million. The deal value represents approximately a 9x multiple of McBurney’s 2021 gross profits of £15.2 million.

Last year, the company reported turnover of £99.7 million (up from £92.1 million in 2020) and post-tax profits of close to £7.8 million (up from £6.1 million in 2020). At that time, the company’s fixed assets were valued at £32 million and current assets at £41.4 million, with net assets totalling £35 million.

The acquisition comes during a period of growing M&A activity in the logistics sector, with firms increasingly targeting deals, despite confidence within the industry falling.

McBurney Transport was founded in 1965 and has grown to employ over 800 staff across the UK and Ireland, operating a fleet of around 400 trucks and 1,360 trailers, approximately two thirds of which are refrigerated.

The company’s focus is on transporting trailers between Great Britain and the island of Ireland, mainly carrying chilled goods in temperature controlled units. The firm also operates a subsidiary, Bondelivery, which provides warehousing facilities in Northern Ireland focusing on last mile delivery across Ireland and retail sector fulfillment.

The acquisition sees the company move from family ownership to join DFDS, one of the world’s biggest logistics groups. Company founder Norman McBurney OBE said that joining DFDS, which is based in Copenhagen and provides transport and ferry services across Europe, would generate opportunities for the firm.

McBurney commented: “By becoming part of DFDS we gain access to new development opportunities. I am certain the wider market coverage, including access to DFDS’ extensive transport network, will benefit our many longstanding customers. I am confident that our many loyal and dedicated employees will be comfortable and happy after this transaction.”

DFDS CEO Torben Carlesen said the takeover was a strategic fit with the group’s cold chain logistics offering. Carlesen commented: “The acquisition of McBurney Transport Group greatly enhances the scope of our customer offerings on the island of Ireland and in the UK, particularly towards the resilient food sector. It also brings considerable scale to our existing operations in the region.”


Read more about the growing M&A trend within logistics.

Find businesses for sale here.

If you are looking for an exit, we can help!.


Share this article



Latest Businesses for Sale

Provider of Bespoke Art Conservation & Restoration Services
UK Wide

The company offers personalised services to a growing client base, ensuring all art mounting, conservation and restoration requirements are met by a team of highly skilled specialists. Serving museums, galleries, Government departments and private co...

Asking Price: Offers Invited
Turnover: £695,000

LEASEHOLD


Supplier & Installer of Security Systems
North West, UK

The company operates as a supplier, installer and maintainer of a range of security solutions, including Intruder, Access Control, CCTV and Warden Call Systems. The business currently provides its services to 2,000 active clients, approximately 80% o...

Asking Price: Offers Invited
Turnover: £955,000

FREEHOLD


Gas Engineering Company
South East, UK

Niche contractor to gas network operators. Services include purge and relights and meter relocation. £625,000 average adjusted EBITDA.

Asking Price: Offers Invited
Turnover: £3,166,000

LEASEHOLD



View more businesses for sale

News Search

Latest News

 
27
 
Jan
 

Administrators to sell assets as office furniture maker collapses | ADMINISTRATION

Bluespot Furniture, a West Yorkshire-based furniture manufac...

 
26
 
Jan
 

UK M&A down 16 per cent in 2022, but sentiment remains optimistic | BUSINESS NEWS

New analysis from PwC has revealed that UK M&A activity decl...

 
26
 
Jan
 

Private equity-backed law firm targeting further M&A in 2023 | BUSINESS NEWS

Stowe Family Law, a Leeds-headquartered specialist family la...

Free guide: 10 Biggest Buyer Mistakes

Sign up to receive our acquisition alert emails to get your FREE guide

Email


Related News

 
08
 
Jun
 

MyFerryLink business sold to DFDS | BUSINESS SALE

Calais to Dover ferry service MyFerryLink has been sold by E...

Want access to the latest businesses for sale?

Business Sale Report is your complete solution to finding great acquisition opportunities.

Join today to receive:

  • Comprehensive range of businesses for sale
  • Make direct contact with business sellers or their intermediaries
  • Access to all UK administrations, liquidations and winding-up petitions
  • Daily email alerts for the latest businesses for sale & distressed notifications
  • Business Sale Report publication posted to you every month
  • Advertise your acquisition requirements on our "business wanted" section

All this and much more, including the latest M&A news and exclusive resources

Become a Member

News Categories

  • - Business Sale
  • - Division Sale
  • - Administration
  • - MBO/MBI
  • - Merger
  • - Commercial Property

View all news

logo
Our Services Distressed Businesses
  • Businesses for Sale
  • Distressed Companies
  • List a Business
  • Help with Finance
  • Buyer Acquisition Service
  • Small Businesses for Sale
Company Buy a Business
  • About BSR
  • Insights
  • News
  • FAQs
  • Reviews
Get In Touch
020 8875 0200
[email protected]
167 Oakhill Road, London, SW15 2QW
Working hours: Mon-Fri, 9am - 5:30pm
About BSR
Business Sale Report is the UK's leading
independent business for sale & distressed business listing service.
Established in 1995, BSR offers an up-to-the-minute, comprehensive overview of businesses for sale, latest distressed business listings and daily acquisition news.
Subscribe

Subscribe to our newsletter to receive news about the latest businesses for sale.

  • Terms
  • Privacy
  • linkedin
  • facebook
  • twitter
© 1995-2023. Business Sale Report Ltd. All rights reserved. www.business-sale.com.