Danish logistics giant DFDS has announced the acquisition of D.R. Macleod, a family run and Stornoway-based haulage firm that has operated for more than 40 years.
Both companies made the news public yesterday and have been working together since 2019.
Writing on its Twitter page, the D.R. Macleod team documented its long history and reassured its customers that business should continue as normal.
“Our business was founded in 1981 by D.R. Macleod with one vehicle when he bought an ex coal board Leyland Reiver. Growing the business, he took on general haulage work and small deliveries, eventually starting the first daily express service between Inverness and Lewis. The company has continued to grow ever since, now operating a fleet of over 70 vehicles and 90 trailers carrying all manner of goods across the country, also offering the same daily express service between Glasgow and Lewis, transporting everything from individual packages to multiple full loads for national and multinational companies,” wrote the haulage firm yesterday.
The company added that it was very proud of its founder’s achievements and his service to the local community, while he too was especially proud of his workforce.
“He described the business as only being as good as the people you have, and that we are fortunate to have very good people,” said the Macleod family.
The Macleod family statement then went on to explain how the company had developed a successful partnership with DFDS.
In 2019 D.R. Macleod and DFDS were in advanced talks for DFDS to take over the running of the business. Had it not been for the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic the deal would have likely already concluded in 2020, said the family.
“Although, unfortunately, D.R. is no longer with us, we are now continuing on with his plans to pass the running of the haulage business to DFDS. We too believe that DFDS will be suitable stewards for the business going forwards. We feel they share the same values that we do, both as employers who will continue looking after the workforce of whom we are very proud, and as a business that will support and serve local communities with the high standards of service we have prided ourselves on,” said the Macleods.
The family has also reassured customers that business will continue as normal and that there should be no disruptions to the services it provides. The haulier’s yellow and blue colours will also still be visible for some years to come.
Writing on LinkedIn about the news, DFDS said:
“D.R. Macleod has run a successful business on the Scottish Highlands and Islands for over 40 years, and it’s a privilege that we can continue D. R. Macleod’s dedication to impeccable service whilst offering a wider logistics service to our new and existing customers. We look forward to welcoming all of our new colleagues to DFDS in the very near future”
