Galloway Take Over

It was announced today that Mendlesham based Galloway has been sold to Eastern Transport Holdings Ltd, who also own Stephensons of Essex. The full press release reads as follows.

EASTERN TRANSPORT HOLDINGS ACQUIRE GALLOWAY TRAVEL GROUP

The directors of Galloway Travel Group ("GTG") are delighted to announce that it is intended that Eastern Transport Holdings Limited ("ETH") will acquire the business operations of GTG on 30th November 2016.

This announcement follows a period of close communication and discussion with the directors of ETH, whereby the retiring directors of GTG have been keen to ensure that the long term business plans of the new owners are aligned to the Galloway model.

David Cattermole, Galloway M.D. said, "I and my fellow directors look forward to working with the ETH directors and management team in the future development of Galloway".

GTG provide an extensive range of adult and school tours, coach hire and services on behalf of National Express, as well as local bus services within Suffolk.

 ETH shares common ownership with Stephensons of Essex Limited, a successful independent business providing local bus, school and rail replacement services across Essex and West Suffolk.

The directors and Management Team of GTG will work closely with the directors of ETH to ensure that the new owners are able to develop an in depth knowledge and awareness of all aspects of the trading style of GTG before completion of their acquisition at the end of November 2016.

With the delivery of this announcement, the directors of GTG intend to delegate day to day involvement in the business with immediate effect, handing over operational management to the existing Management Team of Richard Smith, Dan Rogers and Charles Pratt who have been working with the GTG directors over the last few years to support the intended retirement of the executive directors this year.

ETH have confirmed that their acquisition of GTG represents a logical extension to the existing business, and is commensurate with their vision to diversify both their geographic footprint and range of income streams within the Eastern region.

GTG will continue to trade as a standalone business, distinct from other subsidiary operations of ETH, and to operate from the existing Head Office located at Mendlesham. The existing Management Team of Galloway will be instrumental in assisting the directors of ETH in planning and developing an exciting future for Galloway over the coming years.

ENDS

I'm sure  further details will emerge over the coming months, but on top of the sale of Carters and demise of Soames, the number of Suffolk independents is diminishing at an alarming rate.

You may have seen in this space a report that a new Finance Director had been appointed to every Go-Ahead operator except Anglian. I am grateful to "J" for contacting me alerting me to the fact that Simon Butcher has indeed been appointed as Finance Director of Anglian too, but there was a delay in the publication from Companys House. Either that or someone stitched me up like a kipper on April 1st!!

On its own this is insignificant but could be part of a bigger picture. A Konect driver told me today that the new uniform due soon does not have any Konect branding, simply the Go-Ahead logo. Could this be the beginning of the end to individual operator identity, and a movement towards a national identity? Time will tell.

The weekend will be devoted to the outstanding Diesel Gala on the Mid Norfolk Railway, with some truly outstanding locos in use, including the world's only Class 41. I was at Kimberly today taking photos and videos and toomorrow with a couple of others I'll be riding the trains too.

Then on Monday a special post courtesy of  North Suffolk's newest anorak, who sent me a great selection of pictures from Dublin, including a very flash tour coach for a very popular band.