[asset_ref id=”699″]
Gregory Distribution is merging its Scottish operation with Hayton Coulthard to create a new joint venture company called Hayton Coulthard Transport Ltd.
The two companies have been working together for nearly 25 years. The relationship was developed further ten years ago when Gregory Distribution moved some of its fleet under the control of the Scottish operation.
The new company will be owned equally by Hayton Coulthard and GDL (Holdings) Ltd and will continue to be run from Twynholm under the direction of Duncan Coulthard. Over time the fleet will be rebranded as Hayton Coulthard Transport. The merger is expected to be completed on 1st February 2010.
Duncan Coulthard said: “I see the joining together with Gregory Distribution as providing a secure foundation for the future development of Hayton Coulthard. Being part of a larger organisation without losing our identity is good news for both customers and staff in Scotland.”
Gregory Distribution can trace its roots back to 1919 and provides an integrated transport and storage service in and out of the South West for producers of grocery products, consumer goods and industrial products. It now operates more than 400 vehicles and has a turnover of more than £100 million.
It operates three major distribution centres located at North Tawton and Cullompton in Devon, and Old Sodbury near Bristol, with transport bases at Minworth, Gloucester, Tebay, Chesterfield, Warrington and Kirkcudbright in Scotland.
In June 2009, it acquired Kay Transport, a West Country-based transport and distribution business with a turnover of around £10 million and 140 employees at its base in Plymouth and depot in Gloucester.
Hayton Coulthard Freight Forwarding was founded in 1916 by Peter Coulthard and has remained a family concern ever since. It operates from headquarters in Twynholm, Kirkcudbright with further depots at Lockerbie and in London.
It has a fleet of 120 trailers and services include freight forwarding. trailer hire. refrigerated transport. warehousing, abnormal loads and mechanical offloading.
John Gregory said: “With the added resources and management expertise that the wider Gregory Group will provide, we intend to build upon the strong reputation Hayton Coulthard has in Scotland.”
Former Formula One racing driver David Coulthard’s father was a partner in the firm.
