Denholm Logistics Group recently marked a leadership milestone, with the appointment of Alan Platt as Managing Director, following the retirement of his predecessor, Niall Denholm.

Denholm Logistics Group is a division of family-owned diversified business, the Denholm Group.  Its subsidiaries are well-established in the logistics and port services sectors, providing freight forwarding, warehousing and transportation solutions, the short-sea shipping of timber products, and the port agency of a range of vessels in the UK and the island of Ireland.

Niall Denholm served 12 successful years at the helm of Denholm Logistics Group, leading the division through several acquisitions and major capital projects, while always placing employees and their safety at the heart of his management philosophy.

Alan Platt joined Denholm as part of the acquisition of Good Logistics in August 2021, where he led the business. As Divisional Managing Director of Denholm Good Logistics, he spearheaded the integration of two separate businesses – Good Logistics and Denholm Global Logistics – into one combined organisation.

Ben MacLehose, CEO of parent company J. & J. Denholm, said, “As Managing Director of Denholm Logistics Group, Niall Denholm has grown and developed the division tremendously.  He has also been an ardent supporter of enabling employees to progress their careers, from entry-level roles to company directors.  I wish Niall a happy and productive retirement.”

Ben continues, “I look forward to working with Alan in his new role as Managing Director. I have no doubt that Denholm Logistics Group will continue to flourish with Alan at its helm.  As a seasoned leader in logistics, Alan has a successful track record of seeking growth opportunities for the businesses he leads and the people within them.”

Niall Denholm retired as Managing Director of Denholm Logistics Group on 3^rd May 2024.  Alan Platt was appointed Denholm Logistics Group Managing Director on 4^th May 2024.

(Pictured: Alan Platt, Divisional Managing Director, Denholm Good Logistics)

J. & J. Denholm Limited (the Denholm Group) is excited to announce that Denholm Global Logistics and Good Logistics, two renowned logistics leaders, are merging to form Denholm Good Logistics. The creation of this merger marks the pinnacle of the integration of Good Logistics and Denholm Global Logistics (which incorporates Hamilton Shipping Container Services).

Family-owned diversified business, J. & J. Denholm Limited (the Denholm Group), announced the acquisition of freight forwarding and logistics company, John Good Logistics Limited, in 2021.  Today’s announcement on the coming together of these two renowned companies reflects the Denholm Group’s commitment to innovation, customer-centric solutions, and a forward-thinking approach to delivering tailored solutions that empower businesses to thrive in an ever-evolving global market.  Combining Denholm Global Logistics and Good Logistics into a single, stronger entity, Denholm Good Logistics, enables customers and employees to benefit from the enhanced size and scale whilst retaining shared family values.

Denholm Good Logistics will continue to leverage its expertise, knowledge, and digital innovation to deliver logistics solutions that streamline global supply chains, enhance operational efficiencies, promote eco-friendly practices, reduce carbon footprints, and provide a seamless experience for customers of all sizes across a diverse range of industries.

Key benefits

1. Global Presence – A more robust global presence, ensuring a wider reach. Customers can expect seamless global solutions that optimise transit times and freight costs
2. Technical Innovation – Continued investment in technology, leveraging automation, AI, and data analytics to streamline operations, optimise routes and provide real-time visibility of the movement of goods
3. Expanded Service Offerings – Customers will benefit from an expanded portfolio of services
4. Sustainability – A strong commitment to environmental sustainability, adopting practices to help customers choose greener options, track and report their emissions, and reduce their carbon footprint

Company Leadership

Denholm Good Logistics will be led by an exceptional leadership team, combining industry expertise and visionary leadership from both organisations. This dynamic team will drive the company’s vision, ensuring continued innovation, growth, and customer satisfaction.

Embracing Change

Speaking about the merger, Alan Platt, Divisional Managing Director of Denholm Good Logistics, stated, “This merger to create Denholm Good Logistics represents the convergence of two organisations that share a common vision for the future of logistics. By uniting our strengths, we are confident in our ability to continue providing customers with forward-thinking tailored supply chain management solutions and exceptional customer service.”

Ben MacLehose, CEO of the Denholm Group, expressed similar sentiments, “The acquisition of Good Logistics by the Denholm Group was enabled because of our shared commitment to excellence, innovation, and customer focus. Merging these two global freight forwarding businesses to create Denholm Good Logistics is exciting for all stakeholders, including customers, suppliers, and our colleagues. I am extremely pleased with the transformation and the combined, modern, dynamic brand, which represents the two separate businesses coming together and becoming stronger as a result.”

The new Denholm Good Logistics brand was revealed to customers on 2^nd January 2024.

Global logistics company John Good Logistics Limited, trading as Good Logistics, has strengthened its European road freight offering by acquiring 100 percent of the share capital of Inter-Ways Limited.

Based in Doncaster, Inter-Ways is a family-owned freight forwarding business that focuses primarily on road freight to Eastern and Northern Europe. Over the past 20 years, it has built an enviable reputation in these markets, through its unwavering focus on service excellence.

Part of the family-owned business, the Denholm Group, Good Logistics has built its reputation as a preferred supply chain partner. It delivers forward-thinking, value-added solutions and has become an integral part of its customers’ supply chains. Its comprehensive supply chain management capabilities include global freight forwarding, customs clearance, CO2 tracking, warehousing, haulage and port and liner agency.

Alan Platt, Divisional Managing Director of Good Logistics, said, “Like Good Logistics, Inter-Ways has a solid focus on superior customer service. With its extensive European road freight network developed over 20 years, it is a perfect fit with Good Logistics. The acquisition of Inter-Ways will amplify our skills and knowledge, which, combined with digital innovation, help set Good Logistics apart from other logistics providers. Inter-Ways has a great team of people who are committed to the business and its customers and I am delighted to welcome them to the Good Logistics team.”

Justyna Polom-Wilkinson, former Director and owner of Inter-Ways, commented, “I started Inter-Ways in 2003 and, with the support and dedication of a great team of people, the business has flourished to become a trusted logistics provider to our customers. I am proud to see Inter-Ways begin a new chapter. With its size, scale and, of course, strong family values, choosing Good Logistics as Inter-Ways’ new owner was a great decision.”

Ian Baker, Branch Manager of Inter-Ways, said, “At Inter-Ways, we have truly put our customers at the heart of our operations for the past 20 years. Becoming part of Good Logistics creates an exciting new dynamic for both teams, as we integrate Inter-Ways’ specialist road freight knowledge with Good Logistics’ existing road freight specialists which, combined with digital innovation, is a cornerstone of its service delivery.”

The acquisition of Inter-Ways was signed on 31st October 2023. Inter-Ways will continue to trade under its own brand for the foreseeable future and operate from its offices at Doncaster Finningley Airport.

Family-owned diversified business, J. & J. Denholm Limited (the Denholm Group), is pleased to announce the acquisition of freight forwarding and logistics company, John Good Logistics Limited.  The acquisition will bring the stakeholders of both businesses the benefits of the enhanced size and scale whilst retaining the core values of delivering solutions and great service for their customers, values that have served both businesses so well through the years.

Trading as Good Logistics and operating from strategic locations around the UK, the multi-award winning business provides global logistics, warehousing and distribution services.  Prior to the acquisition by J. & J. Denholm, Good Logistics was part of sixth generation family business, John Good Group.  Similarly, fifth generation family business, J. & J. Denholm, operates subsidiary companies across the logistics supply chain via the Denholm Logistics division.  The Denholm Logistics businesses utilise a complementary port-centric model around the UK and Ireland.  Looking to the immediate future, Good Logistics will trade alongside Denholm Logistics as a complementary sister business, utilising the combined expertise and experience of their people to provide market leading services for their customers.

Ben MacLehose, CEO of J. & J. Denholm, said, “The acquisition of Good Logistics is an exciting move for our employees and customers in both businesses.  Together, the size and scale of our combined logistics operations are amplified, strengthening our skills, resource network and purchasing power and enhancing the opportunities to efficiently manage the movement of freight on behalf of our customers. We have great people within our logistics businesses, now further strengthened by the addition of the Good Logistics team.  We see a bright future and many further opportunities within the logistics sector as we move forward together.”

Alan Platt of Good Logistics commented, “The acquisition by J. & J. Denholm now cements the next long-term phase of Good Logistics.  The synergies of the two family businesses, with similar maritime roots, complementary logistics services and strong values, make the formal connection between Good Logistics and J. & J. Denholm a unique and exciting opportunity to grow the combined businesses together, benefitting both our customers and employees.  As we move from one family to another, we are very much looking forward to many exciting times ahead.”

The acquisition of John Good Logistics Limited was completed by J. & J. Denholm Limited on 31^st August 2021.

Find out more about the services provided by Denholm Logistics Group:

www.denholm-logistics.co.uk

And Good Logistics:

www.goodlogisticsgroup.com

Scruttons (NI) Limited, which was acquired by Denholm Logistics, a division of family-owned business, J. & J. Denholm, in 2012, is pleased to announce the acquisition of the Belfast specialist steel stevedoring business, William Reid Limited. The addition of William Reid emphasises the continued commitment Denholm Logistics Group has towards investing in Belfast and the island of Ireland.

Based at Belfast Harbour, William Reid, formed in 1930, provides stevedoring, port agency, short sea brokering and logistics services. Through continued investment in equipment and infrastructure, not only is William Reid one of the leading stevedoring operations in Northern Ireland, it has also developed specialist quayside steel handling facilities that are unique on the island of Ireland. The skills and expertise of William Reid complement Scruttons, which provides stevedoring of bulk cargoes and container handling at the Port of Belfast and Dublin Freight Terminal.

Scruttons Managing Director, Robert Allen, said, “The acquisition of William Reid is a natural fit for Scruttons. The relationships that William Reid has fostered with its customers and stakeholders, including Belfast Harbour Commission, are based on the quality of its services and its specialist steel handling expertise. By combining our capabilities with our shared ethos of long-term investment, and integrating our positive approach to health and safety, we are able to ensure the longevity of the William Reid operations.”

William Reid Managing Director, Tony Cromie, who continues as a Director of the larger and merged business, commented, “The acquisition by Scruttons marks the next phase of the William Reid business. I am proud of William Reid’s history, which began as a family company and has built its reputation by serving our customers at Belfast Harbour and throughout Ireland. Now that Scruttons and William Reid have come together, I am confident of the continued long-term investment in our services, including our specialist steel handling operations. Crucially for me, the continued robust operating standards of Scruttons and William Reid and our joint commitment to health and safety were decisive.”

The acquisition of William Reid Limited was completed by Scruttons (NI) Limited on 31st July 2021. Scruttons is part of Denholm Logistics Group, one of the four divisions of diversified family-owned business The Denholm Group.

Denholm UK Logistics is pleased to announce that it has recently completed the purchase of a new warehouse in the North West of England, expanding its warehouse capacity in the region to over 1 million ft².

The 80,000 ft² facility in Knowsley is ideally located adjacent to the motorway and transport network serving Liverpool, Manchester and the rest of the UK.  Denholm UK Logistics’ own fleet of vehicles will service the new facility and operate from the warehouse, providing customers with distribution options nationwide.  This latest addition to the company’s portfolio of warehouses complements its investment in people and systems and will enable Denholm UK Logistics to meet the growing demand for its warehouse solutions.

Martin Hall, Managing Director of Denholm UK Logistics, commented, “Purchase of the Knowsley warehouse forms part of Denholm UK Logistics’ recent programme of strategic investments.  Combined with enhanced recruitment and upgraded e-commerce infrastructure, our expanded warehouse capacity will help us continue to provide uninterrupted service and support to our customers as their requirements rapidly evolve.”

The Denholm Group operates four divisions and Denholm UK Logistics provides the Logistics division’s warehousing, distribution and UK haulage activities.  It serves customers across different business and consumer markets, including timber, steel and Fast Moving Consumer Goods, or FMCG.

Denholm Port Services Limited, the leading UK port agency provider, is pleased to announce it has acquired the ship agency services of Orkney-based John Jolly Limited. The acquisition expands Denholm Port Services’ UK port presence to directly support its clients’ vessels when they call at the Orkney Islands.

Based in Kirkwall, John Jolly has been operating in Orkney since 1902. Its ship agency service supports a range of vessels, including cruise ships, oil and gas tankers, bulk and general cargo ships and specialist project vessels, complementing the multi-vessel capabilities of Denholm Port Services. John Jolly will continue to operate as an independently-owned company, providing stevedoring services from the Orkney islands.

President and Managing Director of Denholm Port Services, John Watt, said: “I am delighted that Denholm Port Services has acquired the ship agency services of John Jolly. We support clients’ vessels extensively throughout UK ports and, having recently opened a port agency office in Lerwick in the Shetland Isles, this latest acquisition extends our North Sea port coverage even further.”

Director of John Jolly, Steven Spence, commented: “John Jolly and Denholm Port Services have been working together in the flourishing cruise ship market in Orkney for a number of years. As a highly skilled and reliable agency business, it makes sense that Denholm Port Services supports clients’ vessels in Orkney directly, enabling John Jolly to focus on stevedoring services. John Jolly has always been a family business, and there was a particular appeal in selling our ship agency service arm to Denholm Port Services, who is itself part of a larger family-run group.”

Denholm Port Services is one of the UK’s leading ship agency businesses. Serving all major UK ports, the company specialises in providing port agency and cargo management services to a wide range of clients. The acquisition of John Jolly’s ship agency services was completed on 1st May 2019.

Denholm Wilhelmsen Limited, the UK-based port agency service provider, announces it has renamed the business to Denholm Port Services Limited, to more clearly define the services offered to clients.

Denholm Port Services is a jointly owned investment between Denholm Logistics Group Limited and Wilh. Wilhelmsen Holding Invest AS and is one of the UK’s leading ship agency businesses. Serving all major UK ports, the company specialises in providing port agency and cargo management services to a wide range of clients.

Denholm Logistics is pleased to announce the merger of two of its businesses, Denholm Transport and Denholm Handling, to create Denholm UK Logistics.

Following a period of growth for both businesses, and with aligned operations at ports and inland hubs throughout the UK, the management team at Denholm Logistics recognised the value to its customers of combining its warehousing, terminal management and distribution services, with its container and general cargo transportation business, to create a comprehensive and more efficient UK logistics solution.

Denholm UK Logistics will be led by Managing Director Martin Hall. Mr. Hall said: “Denholm Transport is one of the UK’s major carriers of container and general cargo, while Denholm Handling provides flexible and innovative warehousing and handling solutions. Both are established businesses with strong track records of working sustainably with retail and industrial brands. Following engagement with our customers, we have combined our transportation and handling businesses to create a complete UK logistics solution for our customers.”

Denholm Logistics Managing Director Niall Denholm said: “I am pleased that Martin Hall has agreed to lead the merged businesses going forward. He is currently Managing Director of Denholm UK Logistics, which was renamed in April from Denholm Handling in anticipation of the merger. Under Martin Hall’s leadership, the business has developed a port-centric warehousing solution that has not only delivered cost savings in our customers’ supply chains but has also increased the speed with which our customers’ products arrive at their final destination. We now operate 1.4 million square feet of port-centric warehousing throughout the UK.”

Mr. Denholm continued, “We have also been investing in our transportation business. We have expanded our owned vehicle fleet and installed the latest transport management technology and we now complete over 120,000 UK container transport moves for our customers each year. As a result of the investment in our transport and warehousing infrastructures and the synergies between them, it is the right time to combine both businesses.”