Logistics firm W H Bowker Ltd has revealed plans to acquire the warehousing and transport operations at five sites belonging to Potter Logistics Ltd.

The deal, completed for an undisclosed sum, will see Preston- and Hull-based W H Bowker purchase Potter’s operations in Knowsley, Droitwich, Selby, Ripon and York.

Moving forward as one of the biggest players in the UK’s chemicals logistics, healthcare and food warehousing and distribution sectors, W H Bowker will now operate a road transport fleet comprising over 200 trucks, 450 trailers and 1,000,000 sq ft of warehousing space.

Further, W H Bowker’s staff count has risen to 750.

For Potter Group (Holdings) Plc, the company is moving into a new era as a property investment business to focus on developing its land assets.

Commenting on the acquisition, W H Bowker Ltd’s director, Bill Bowker, said of the acquisition: “Potter Logistics is a highly successful family-owned business with a reputation for quality and excellence in service across a range of specialist road transport and warehousing sectors, evidenced by the numerous awards it has won in recent years.

“Derrick Potter, his management team and staff have built industry-wide respect for their logistics expertise and the company provides an excellent fit with our expansion strategy.”

He continued: “Both businesses are committed to a long term working relationship supporting and growing customer operations, while ensuring a smooth transition for all customers to the new commercial arrangement.”

Speaking for Potter Logistics, chairman Derrick Potter commented: “As a well-recognised, family logistics business of 51 years standing, a key priority in recent years has been to look to the future of our excellent staff, as well as that of our customers, not simply at the legacy that we have built.

“We are confident that the Bowker family shares the same cultural ethos that will continue to deliver the same quality of care and to grow the business for the benefit of all concerned.”