EXPANDING DISTRIBUTION business Crisis Logistics has completed its acquisition of parcel and pallets company Action Express.
The new owner plans to retain Action Express’ depot on Brackmills Industrial Estate in Northampton and invest in improvements to the site and its facilities as it looks to increase the volume of parcels and [pallets it handles.
Established in 1998 as a same day delivery specialist, Crisis Logistics now offers warehousing, fulfilment and national and international road haulage. It has already purchased ten new vehicles for Action Express, including seven articulated lorries and three 18-tonne trucks, and plans to create new jobs as it grows the company.
Action Express founder and former APC Overnight chief executive Syed Ziaullah, who established the company in 1982 with a bike and a van, will join the Crisis Logistics board for an initial five years.
Chairman Charles Grant-Salmon said: “As part of our growth strategy, we are expanding our business and developing Crisis Logistics into the market leader and one-stop shop for all logistics services in Northamptonshire. The acquisition will benefit customers of both companies by enabling us to provide a full range of logistics services across pallets, parcels and general haulage, in addition to specialist services like temperature-controlled delivery and secure distribution.”
Crisis Logistics has invested heavily to support its growth in a customer relationship management system able to improve efficiency and speed up processes. Managing director Edward Grant-Salmon said: “We want to provide flexible solutions for our customers as they expand and diversify their own operations and the acquisition of Action Express will allow us to do that. The business is a perfect fit with our own operation.”
Action Express is one of more than 90 logistics independents that make up the Pallet-Track network delivering palletised freight around the UK. Chief executive Caroline Green said: “Action Express is a well-respected and long-term member of our network and we have every confidence that the new team will steer the business to great success in its new era.”