Wed, 04 Feb 2026 | BUSINESS SALE
A longstanding removals and storage business has been acquired out of administration in a deal that secures around 150 jobs. Johnsons 1871 Limited, trading as Johnsons, has been operating since 1871.
The Knutsford-headquartered company employs approximately 150 staff across its nationwide operations, which cover both domestic and commercial moving and storage. Johnsons 1871 is an umbrella organisation including a number of specialist removals, relocation and moving services.
In the year to March 31 2024, Johnsons 1871 Limited reported turnover of around £29.3 million, up by 20.1 per cent from approximately £24.4 million the previous year. However, the company’s operating profits fell from slightly under £2.4 million to just over £538,000 and post-tax profit fell from £1.6 million to around £56,000.
The company subsequently fell into administration last month, with Steve Muncaster and Andrew Poxon of Leonard Curtis appointed as joint administrators of Johnsons 1871 Limited on January 28 2026.
Following their appointment, the joint administrators secured a sale of the business to London-headquartered counterpart Amer Logistics Limited, securing the future of the company’s entire workforce.
Commenting on the sale, joint administrator and Leonard Curtis director Steve Muncaster stated: “We are delighted to have completed a sale of this long-established business, so preserving the employment of the entire workforce, and allowing its extensive customer base to continue to work with the business.”
In the company’s most recent accounts, its fixed assets were valued at more than £2.8 million and current assets at £13.1 million, while total equity amounted to approximately £2.3 million.
While acquisitions of distressed businesses can carry an elevated level of risk, savvy buyers who are adept at identifying the best opportunities can derive enormous value from such deals
Find out more about the numerous factors contributing to solid dealmaking activity in the UK's storage, distribution and logistics industry
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