Northern businesses drive UK logistics deal activity

• Seven of 15 logistics deals involve Northern businesses
• Sustained Q1 transaction activity close to pre-pandemic levels

Nearly half of all UK logistics deal activity was driven by the North, according to the latest Q1 figures.

Seven of the 15 transactions completed in the logistics sector in the first quarter of 2021 involved businesses in the region.

These included: the sale of Altrincham-based fleet telematics and software provider Matrix Telematics to Bridges Fund Management via an MBO; and Caribou’s acquisition of Manchester-based C&D Transport Solutions Ltd.

Overall, activity in the UK logistics sector continued to follow an upward trend, as seen in Q4 2020, with transaction volumes returning close to pre-pandemic levels.

The aggregate disclosed deal value for Q1 was £285 million, with more than a quarter of deals (27%) being cross border, according to the latest report from accountancy and business advisory firm BDO LLP.

The ‘UK & Ireland M&A Update – Q1 2021’ report revealed that the influence of technology in driving deal flow was particularly evident, with almost half of the quarter’s deals in the sector being tech-related.

Jason Whitworth, M&A partner at BDO LLP, explained: “Against a backdrop of disrupted supply chains, increasing freight costs and new Brexit requirements, as well as shifting consumer demand, logistics providers are under increasing pressure to run more effectively and efficiently. Hence, systems that offer improved control and visibility of distribution and the ability to scale operations will attract investors.

“The investor interest is widespread, from private equity, family office investors, specialist consultants and existing logistics technology specialists, through to traditional logistics operators. They are targeting software businesses across all aspects of the industry such as fleet telematics, workforce and supply chain management, shipment tracking solutions and warehouse management systems.”

UK private equity continued to show an active interest in the domestic market, with 33% of Q1 deals involving PE-backed investment, such as the Matrix Telematics transaction; the MBO of Leeds-based logistics, transportation, warehousing and supply chain management specialist, Ligentia, which was backed by UK private equity house, Equistone; and LDC-backed Mandata’s acquisition of Stirling Solutions, combining the expertise of two of the UK’s longest established transport management software providers for the logistics and haulage industry.

The report also highlighted that the BDO FTSE Logistics Index has bounced back to levels 77% ahead of where the index started in July 2019. This performance far exceeds the FTSE All-Share Index which is 8% down over the same period.

Whitworth added: “Where key qualities across scalability, tech and management all come together, competition for investment opportunities is fierce, and valuations are being driven up. Looking forward, with the re-opening of non-essential retail stores in the UK, a retail boom on the back of pent-up demand is predicted by some. This may be at the expense of some online trading, but whatever the volume shift, it will no doubt have an impact on the demand for logistics services once more, and so the industry will need to remain agile to move with the times.”