Crossroads buys rival in major expansion of area

Crossroads, based at Birstall, near Leeds, is a privately-owned Volvo commercial truck dealer, which distributes parts and maintains vehicles throughout Yorkshire, Humberside and Lincolnshire.

Its clients include Leeds-based Asda, Londis and Next.

Hartshorne is the leading commercial vehicle distributor in the Midlands.

Combining the two businesses will create one of the largest commercial distributor groups in Europe, with almost 1,000 staff, a turnover in the region of 200m and a combined experience of nearly 100 years in the industry.

The two companies have a similar client base and perform the same job as each other, but in different parts of the country.

In 2009 both had an annual turnover of 100m. However Crossroads made a pre-tax 2009 profit of 5m, while Hartshorne made a pre-tax profit of 500,000 which gives Crossroads plenty of scope to improve earnings.

Both are family owned businesses.

Hartshorne was established in 1968 and is the leading commercial vehicle distributor in the Midlands, Shropshire and Staffordshire.

The acquisition will enable the expanded group to provide services from North Yorkshire down to the South West Midlands.

Following the acquisition, Hartshorne and Crossroads will continue to run as two separate companies within the same group and will retain their own identities.

Both are keen to maintain their heritage and reputation and a focus on customer service.

Crossroads' managing director Martin Cronin said: "This is the coming together of two very trusted businesses and the strengthening of two great offerings. All businesses need to grow and develop and the perfect synergy between Crossroads and Hartshorne makes this an ideal opportunity for both to move forward."

David Bachelor, Hartshorne's group managing director, said: "We are delighted with the union as we feel it marks the next chapter in the company's development.

"Crossroads and Hartshorne share the same integral qualities and commitment to delivering the best possible service to its customers. This marks a very exciting future for us all."

Crossroads operates out of nine depots and four managed workshops which are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week and 365 days a year.

The company was founded by Arthur Smith and Fred Barber in 1956, initially selling used vehicles to UK and export markets.

It was based at Gildersome near Leeds until 1962 when it moved premises to Gomersal near Birstall.

In 1994 the head office and the Gomersal depot moved to a new larger purpose built site in its present location in Birstall, situated near the junction of the M62 and M621 motorways.

In 1967 Crossroads was one of the first companies in the country to be appointed as an independent Volvo Distributor for Yorkshire.

The Hull depot was opened in 1972 . In 1983 the Thirsk depot opened and in 1986 a depot opened in Rotherham.

Eco-friendly investment

Crossroads has underlined its commitment to reducing emissions and costs by investing more than 200,000 in a new fleet of eco-friendly courtesy cars for its customer service operation.

The company is keen to improve its environmental record by switching to eco-friendly cars and improving the way it tracks fuel consumption.

The 25 cars are from Volvo's DRIVe and Ford's ECOnetic range and will reduce the company's carbon emissions by 26 per cent.

Crossroads' managing director Martin Cronin described the renewal of the customer service fleet as a significant investment.