Northallerton-based supply chain specialist CTS Group has strengthened its safety division with the acquisition of ShoeStation Direct, adding around \u00a310m in annual revenue and accelerating its ambition to become a \u00a3100m business by 2028.<\/p>\n
The deal marks another step in CTS Group\u2019s acquisition-led expansion strategy and takes projected group turnover to approximately \u00a370m by the end of the current financial year.<\/p>\n
Founded in 2021, CTS has grown rapidly across the workwear, PPE and supply chain sectors, building a portfolio of businesses serving customers across construction, industrial and trade markets.<\/p>\n
The addition of Daventry-based ShoeStation Direct significantly enhances its online safety footwear offering, cementing CTS\u2019s safety division as a leading UK e-commerce player in the sector.<\/p>\n
ShoeStation Direct is an established online retailer of safety footwear, workwear and PPE, trading through its own website and major online marketplaces, with a customer base built over two decades.<\/p>\n
CTS said the acquisition strengthens its direct relationships with major brands including Birkenstock, Dunlop, Scruffs, DeWalt and Caterpillar, expanding both product range and distribution reach.<\/p>\n
Chief executive AJ Swinbank said the deal was a \u201cmajor step forward\u201d for the group as it continues to scale through acquisitions and technology investment.<\/p>\n
He said: \u201cOur acquisitions are driven by a clear long-term vision and a defined goal of \u00a3100m in revenue for the financial year 2028. ShoeStation Direct gives us a powerful platform to accelerate that plan.<\/p>\n
\u201cBringing it into the group also allows us to invest further in AI, ecommerce technology and supply chain systems, which will be central to CTS Group\u2019s next phase of growth.\u201d<\/p>\n
CTS currently employs around 140 people across its Yorkshire operations in Northallerton, Thirsk and Harworth. The business generated \u00a345m in its last financial year and is currently trading at around \u00a360m on a run-rate basis.<\/p>\n
The group has expanded through a combination of organic growth and a series of acquisitions across workwear, packaging and wider supply chain services, with the latest deal further strengthening its digital and direct-to-consumer capability.<\/p>\n
ShoeStation Direct was founded and built by a family team over 20 years. The founders said they had decided to retire following a sustained period of growth.<\/p>\n
Declan Quinn of ShoeStation Direct said CTS was the right long-term home for the business after interest from multiple suitors. \u201cWe felt CTS was the right fit. They have the expertise and resources to enhance and grow what is a very well-respected business, while keeping the legacy going,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
CTS said it plans to invest in systems, people and technology within the acquired business, with a focus on improving service levels, availability and digital capability.<\/p>\n
Swinbank added: \u201cWe are proud to be taking ShoeStation Direct into its next chapter and building on the strong foundations the family has created. Our focus now is on developing the business and continuing to deliver for customers across the UK.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The supply chain specialist has strengthened its safety division with the acquisition of ShoeStation Direct, adding around \u00a310m in annual revenue<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":271992,"featured_media":2156476,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[57362,53262,2],"coauthors":[137100],"class_list":["post-2156474","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-acquisitions","category-business-news","category-deals","tag-featured-story","tag-yorkshire"],"yoast_head":"\n