Coach firm Selwyns bought by French firm

NORTH West coach travel firm Selwyns has been acquired by French company RATP Dev for an undisclosed sum,.
 
The £15m tunrover firm, which has depots in Manchester, Runcorn and St Helens, employs more than 200 staff.
 
Founded in 1968  its customers include local authorities and the likes of National Express, Barclays and Emirates.

Two years ago Selwyns rescued £4m turnover firm Haytons of Manchester.

Running a fleet of 90 vehicles, Selwyns Travel will continue to operate as an independent division of RATP Dev UK under the leadership of its managing director Selwyn Jones.

Steve Whiteway, area director North for RATP Dev UK, said. “I am delighted we have been able to bring Selwyns into the RATP Dev UK Group, Selwyn and his team have built an excellent business which fits well with our strategy to run high quality public transport services and we look forward to working with them”

Selwyn Jones, managing director at Selwyns, said: “We’ve had lots of approaches over the years but the time was right to sell and the deal opens up a world of opportunities.

“Selwyns will operate as we always have, providing a fantastic service to our clients.  Being able to tap into the expertise and experience of the team at RATP Dev will give the business a major advantage over the competition moving forward.”

Manchester based HURST Corporate Finance brokered the sale and has been advising Selwyns for the past 10years.

Tim Scott, an associate partner said:””The business attracted a number of approaches and some excellent offers but the synergy with RATP was evident right from the start.

“The partnership will mean Selwyn can continue to run the business but will have the firepower to continue with ambitious expansion plans.”  

Chris Dunn at the Manchester office of law firm Gateley also advised Selwyns on the deal.