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PPS, a leader in the returnable transit
packaging industry, has acquired
Alison Handling Services, the UK’s
largest independent stockist of
returnable plastic packaging. Business
Growth Fund (BGF), the UK’s most
active investor of growth capital,
provided £4.9 million to support the
acquisition and PPS’ growth plans.
The acquisition will enable PPS to
expand its current services to ensure
customers have access to a full range
of packaging solutions. Currently PPS
offers the delivery, collection, asset
tracking, washing, rental and repair
of returnable equipment and will now
expand the services through Alison
Handling to include sales of a wide
range of load carrying equipment.
PPS has enjoyed continued growth in
its 13 year history, and now employs
more than 100 people across the
business. The company provides cost-
effective and environmentally-friendly
returnable plastic packaging solutions
across the UK and Europe. PPS moves
25 million boxes a year for customers
including retailers, food processors and
the automotive industry.
Re-usable
The acquisition will see PPS increase
its number of sites to include the
Alison Handling premises in Lancashire
alongside the existing PPS sites in East
Staffordshire and Grimsby. All Alison
Handling employees will be retained
by PPS and Alison Dearden and Ray
Hawley will remain as directors.
Packaging growth
via acquisition
reputation is second to none and we
couldn’t think of a better partner to
take the business forward.”
Mark Freer of BGF said: “PPS has
experienced exceptional growth
under the leadership of the current
management team. The business has
an attractive customer proposition that
will become even more relevant in the
future as companies across a range of
sectors look to lower their costs whilst
looking for a more environmentally-
friendly alternative to single trip
packaging. With BGF’s backing, PPS is
well positioned to take advantage of
these opportunities.”
David Peggie, Chief Executive of PPS,
said: “We’ve admired the services and
reputation of Alison Handling for many
years. Now, as Tony Dearden looks
to retire from the company he set up,
we are proud to be able to take on the
exceptional services and impressive
customer base Alison Handling has
created. PPS has grown rapidly over
the past thirteen years and this deal
is the next step in our plan to bring an
all-encompassing, top quality service to
those looking for re-usable packaging.”
Single trip packaging
Tony Dearden of Alison Handling
said: “We’ve known of PPS for many
years due to the complementary
services they offered to our own. Their
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Logistics Business Magazine | September 2015
Re-usable Packaging