Merger Announced for Knights of Old and Mainland Group

December 2011

Transport and distribution companies, Knights of Old and Mainland Group have announced they are to merge, propelling the new group to a turnover approaching £50m, making them one of the largest privately owned logistics companies in the Midlands. The company will be known as the Knights of Old Group and will have the combined statistics of: 200 trucks, 225 trailers, 400 staff and 200,000 sq ft of warehousing.

The Knights of Old Group is delighted to announce the joining of the two companies and sees this as a natural move; as like-minded organisations which operate in the same area and share core values focusing on quality and strong customer service, the combination of Knights of Old and Mainland Group will create a stronger and more sustainable organisation that will achieve the growth plans that the group has set out for the next five years.

Ian Beattie, Managing Director of Knights of Old said: “The group will be better placed for growth and progression in what is a very competitive market. We have combined resources such as knowledge, equipment and facilities which will help the group reach the next level.”

Mike Bacon, Managing Director, Mainland Group said: “Mainland Group and Knights of Old joining forces is a logical move for all involved. We are based in the same area with similar services and both have very ambitious plans for the future. We will offer enhanced services to our clients, but with the same shared values. It will create new opportunities for us which would not previously have been possible.” Mike will take up the role of Commercial Director in the new group and Paul Abbott of Knights of Old will become Logistics Director of the group.

The two companies will continue to operate as they are with the individual business units looking to integrate during the coming year. Beattie continued: “It is our intention to offer a wider and more substantial portfolio to the group’s client base by seeking integration opportunities during 2012.”

Bacon concludes: “We are very excited about the potential created due to the merger. As a larger company we have a greater resource to call upon but we will still maintain all the benefits that a local transport supplier can provide.”