Primeline Group, Ireland’s largest independent provider of logistics and route to market solutions, has taken a majority shareholding in Global Cargo Solutions (GCS), which is based in County Armagh.
The deal allows Primeline Group to further expand its existing business network in Northern Ireland, the UK and Europe and to benefit from having access to an experienced management team in Northern Ireland.
GCS was founded in 2016 and provides full-load freight between the UK and Ireland as well as bespoke logistics solutions using specialised equipment. The family-run business employs 100 people and runs a fleet of 80 trucks across its depots in Northern Ireland and in Burton-on-Trent in England.
Primeline Group currently employs 1000 colleagues and has its headquarters in Ashbourne, Co Meath. Its fleet makes over 10,000 deliveries to more than 7500 outlets around Ireland each week. The Group has developed its logistics network to ensure it covers every town in Ireland every day.
CEO of Primeline Group Tim Cummins says the GCS acquisition is an excellent move for his company: “The GCS team runs a profitable business that’s become a leading provider of freight solutions across a really impressive network of customers. Integrating their fleet of trucks and 200 trailers will be a real asset to the continued growth of our business. Although GCS is a relatively new company, we know that its founder Andy has a lifetime of experience in the sector and that has been key to its success so far. I’m delighted we’ve reached agreement and look forward to working together to build on their success to date”.
MD of GCS Andrew J Woolsey says the agreement is a positive one for his team too: “I set out to build a customer-driven business, providing people with professional, tailor-made transport options. Through the hard work and dedication of our team – including several of my own family members – we have achieved that and more. GCS has delivered over 200,000 loads in its lifetime and thanks to this deal with Primeline Group, our valued customers will continue to benefit from a service that respects them and cares for their goods. I’m also happy that our staff can be reassured that we’re part of a larger team which has values that align with our own and puts us in a great position to grow further”.
Another benefit of the deal for Primeline Group is the in-house customs clearance that GCS operates. GCS currently processes declarations for GB to NI, GB to ROI and ROI to GB deliveries. Primeline can use this to further improve their integral logistics network by minimizing delays and errors in navigating the complexities of customs procedures. By handling this process internally, Primeline can ensure direct control over acquiring and managing essential procedures for cross-border movements.
