Kettlewell secures jobs after moving for rival

M Kettlewell (Melmerby), which transports raw materials, such as wheat and barley, for animal feeds processors nationally, has secured the jobs as well as expanding its fleet and customer base after acquiring Allen W Brown and Co, Knayton, near Thirsk.

David Kitson, a partner at Bulmer & Co accountants, and Simon Morris, corporate partner at Raworths Solicitors, acted for M Kettlewell (Melmerby) in the acquisition.

All operations from the Allen W Brown Haulage site have been relocated to M Kettlewell’s headquarters, Station Yard, Melmerby, where the 15 staff are now based and the vehicles will operate under Allen W Brown livery as a separate division in the M Kettlewell Group which also includes fuel oil supplier Kettlewell Fuels and Kettlewell Commercials, a registered DAF service and repair centre.

Allan Brown, who retired following the acquisition, had run his bulk haulage business for 40 years. He also had 20 dedicated sub contractors with their own vehicles and a £3.5m turnover.

The acquisition takes the M Kettlewell (Melmerby) staff from 39 to 54 and its turnover from £3m to £7m.

The deal was backed by Yorkshire Bank’s Harrogate Financial Solutions Centre (FSC) through its Investing for Growth initia- tive.