Logistics giant swoops for Humber haulage company
Kreiss SIA, a Latvian-headquartered European transport and logistics group, has acquired C Neil Dowson Ltd, a haulage and distribution business based in Immingham Docks.
Kreiss provides transportation for goods, including pharmaceuticals and cosmetics, hazardous cargo, and frozen and perishable goods, across Europe. It currently has offices in six different countries, a fleet of 2,000 trucks and trailers, and employs around 2,400 staff.
A team from Weightmans LLP, led by Paul Raftery, provided legal advice to Kreiss on the acquisition, its first in the UK.
Founded in 1990 by Neil and Julie Dowson, C Neil Dowson provides haulage services throughout the UK.
The business has a fleet of tractor units, skeletal trailers, forklifts, and its own yard, located one mile from one of Europe’s largest ports, Immingham Docks, all of which will be acquired by Kreiss as part of the deal.
The acquisition provides Kreiss with a new base in the UK, enabling the business to further expand its international operations.
Sergejs Zalizko, board member of Kreiss, said: “This acquisition will help us build out our UK base to enhance our services for clients in the UK.
“C Neil Dowson have an excellent reputation in the market, and we are pleased to be working with them and their team to continue to deliver first-class haulage solutions to customers.”
Neil Dowson, operations director of C Neil Dowson, added: “Over the past 32 years of trading, C Neil Dowson company has been recognised by its customers, staff and suppliers for its loyalty and reliability within the market.
“These principles can now be carried into the future with the support of Kreiss behind us.
“Becoming part of Kreiss Group marks a new chapter for C Neil Dowson and I am confident it will be a positive move for the business and its customers.”
Kreiss was advised the deal by a team led by Paul Raftery at Weightmans LLP, Chasz Coulsting at Crowe UK LLP and Stuart Laight at SJL Advisory. Sell side, C Neil Dowson was advised by Mark Daubney at Bridge McFarland LLP and Mike Beckett at Forrester Boyd.
