Family-led logistics firm secures £12.5m funding package to accelerate growth
Family led Northamptonshire warehousing and logistics business Linkline Transport has secured £12.5m in funding from Shawbrook Bank to turbocharge its growth plans.
Linkline was founded in 1993 and boasts heavy-hitting clients including Primark and GXO. The company provides logistics, haulage, warehousing and pallet network services across the UK.
Having recently expanded into warehousing under the leadership of MD James Bowes, who took over the reins in 2021, Linkline has set its sights on further growth in the sector. The funding package from Shawbrook – which includes a £5m Confidential Invoicing Finance loan to support working capital requirements and a structured cash flow facility – will enable the firm to expand into additional sites.
Bowes said: “Linkline at its heart is a family-owned enterprise and having grown up with the company it is exciting to see the growth we have experienced. Shawbrook has been a fantastic partner throughout the process and ultimately offered us a package that could not be matched in its scope and flexibility.
“I greatly look forward to continuing to drive the business forward, with a particular focus on our high-quality warehousing facilities and am pleased to be able to do so with the support of Shawbrook.”
Dave Hilton, a partner at Mazars who conducted the debt advisory process on the deal, said: “I have had a great relationship with both Shawbrook and Linkline for some time and it was a real pleasure to bring these parties together to facilitate this deal.
“Linkline is a promising enterprise that has seen an exceptional level of success in recent years. With the leadership of James being coupled with the funding from a proven lender like Shawbrook, I have no doubt the business will continue to go from strength to strength.”
Daniel Martin, senior director at Shawbrook, added: “Linkline are a strong family led enterprise who have been growing at a phenomenal rate in the last few years and we believe this additional funding will help them build on the fantastic platform they already have.
“James has been a driving force behind the incredible growth they have experienced. His leadership has taken the business from strength to strength, and we look forward to supporting him as the business continues to expand.”
Matt Ingram at Squire Patton Boggs acted for Shawbrook, while Dave Easdown of Knights Legal acted for Linkline. Financial Due Diligence was completed by Knights Transaction Services.
