Stobart Group
Encyclopedia
Stobart Group Ltd (trading as Stobart Group) is a large British
multimodal
logistics
company, with interests in Transport and Distribution, Estates, Infrastructure and Civils, Air and Biomass, through operations in the United Kingdom
, Ireland
and Belgium
. The company is incorporated in Guernsey
but has operational head offices in Carlisle, Cumbria and Widnes
, Cheshire
but hopes eventually to re-locate its Carlisle, Cumbria offices to a new, purpose-built building at Carlisle Lake District Airport, where it owns a 150-year lease expiring in 2150.
Started by 'Steady' Eddie Stobart in the 1950s as an agricultural business in Cumbria
, the company was incorporated as Eddie Stobart Ltd.
on 23 November 1970 as a haulage firm, eventually passing to his son, Edward Stobart
. After a series of complex takeovers, the Stobart company has developed from a haulage company to an intermodal logistics company, achieving a stock market listing without an IPO
through a reverse takeover
of the Westbury Property Fund. Following the step down of Edward in 2003, the Stobart family is now represented in the business through Edward's brother William Stobart
.
Brother-in-laws Andrew Tinkler and William Stobart
hold 8.18% and 3.77% respectively of the Stobart Group as of May 2011. Allan Jenkinson holds 4.9% of the company, the Irlam family hold 2.88% of the company and Steve O'Connor
holds a further just under 3% of the company as of May 2011. The largest overall shareholder is now the investment management company Invesco who now holds 36.51% of the Stobart Group as of May 2011.
The company is listed on the London Stock Exchange
and is a constituent of the FTSE 250 Index
. However, unlike most public companies, Stobart Group retains its "Ltd
" status as it is registered in Guernsey
and not England & Wales or Scotland
, which would require it to change its suffix to "plc
" status.
The business was started by 'Steady' Eddie Stobart in the 1950s as an agricultural business in Cumbria
. His son, Edward Stobart Junior, was born in Cumberland
in England on 21 November 1954 at his parents' house just outside Hesket Newmarket
near Carlisle. He was one of four children, with an elder sister Anne, an elder brother John and a younger brother William. He was always called Edward to avoid confusion with his father Eddie. He was very interested in lorries, and when he left school, he started working for his father's contracting business delivering agricultural material in the region. By 1970, the company consisted of three main parts: Fertilizer
, Haulage
and the Farm shop. The various parts were eventually split up between the family members, with Edward having haulage and the name, Eddie Stobart Ltd.
.
A lot of hard work, never declining an order, and a virtual paranoia about keeping his lorries, characterised by their Tautliner
bodies, immaculately clean eventually paid off, and Edward started to get orders from larger businesses. One of the key success factors for the company was its specific emphasis on building a strong reputation and corporate image
. For example, in the 1980s and 1990s, if any driver was caught not wearing a tie while on duty, he or she could face disciplinary action. Similarly, the company had a policy that all drivers must wave back and honk their horn in the traditional truck-driver fashion when signalled by a passer-by or "Eddie spotter" to do so.
Other key elements in its growth at this time were the introduction of a new management team in 1986 and the opening, on 1 April 1987, of its first depot in the English Midlands
(at Burnaston
).
By 2000 the enlarged Eddie Stobart Group Ltd. consisted of three divisions: Eddie Stobart Ltd., Eddie Stobart International and Eddie Stobart Promotions.
, a civil engineering company that specialised in railway maintenance, based in Appleby-in-Westmorland
, Cumbria
. At the time, Eddie Stobart was 55% owned by Edward Stobart and 45% owned by his brother William. WA Developments was 27% owned by William and 73% owned by William's school friend, brother-in-law and business partner Andrew Tinkler. In effect, therefore, William Stobart's stake in Eddie Stobart reduced from 45% to 27%.
Eddie Stobart Group Ltd. became a subsidiary of W.A. Developments (International) Ltd, a parent company of WA Developments created to purchase Eddie Stobart Group Ltd, in February 2004 when the transaction completed. Upon completion, Andrew Tinkler became Chairman and William Stobart became Managing Director of Eddie Stobart.
– was acquired by Eddie Stobart's parent company WA Developments
, through a subsidiary company Stobart Air Holdings Ltd. Haughey Airports Ltd was then re-named Stobart Air Ltd, and Carlisle Airport was re-branded as Carlisle Lake District Airport.
Plans were announced to redevelop the airport site to include a new passenger terminal, an air freight service, a new joint headquarters for WDA and Eddie Stobart, and a 750000 square feet (69,677.3 m²) distribution centre.
, under the Stobart Rail
banner.
appointed Royal Bank of Scotland
to discuss its options. French rival Norbert Dentressangle
said it would be interested in buying Eddie Stobart, but Andrew Tinkler preferred external investment, without a complete sale.
On 15 August 2007 the Stobart business gained a stock market listing through the reverse acquisition of the Westbury Property Fund Ltd, a commercial property and ports company.
Westbury acquired the ultimate Eddie Stobart Ltd. holding company, Stobart Holdings, from W.A. Developments (International) Ltd. for £137.7 million: £62 million in cash and £76 million in new Westbury Property Fund shares. The re-named Westbury group then became the London Stock Exchange
listed Stobart Group Ltd., with Andrew Tinkler and William Stobart
becoming substantial shareholders holding 20% and 8.5% respectively of the Stobart Group and becoming Chief Executive Officer
and Chief Operating Officer
of the Stobart Group respectively.
In return, Westbury would sell the bulk of its commercial property portfolio, Westbury Properties Ltd., to another WA Developments subsidiary, WADI Properties Ltd., for £142.1 million in cash. The Stobart Air operation, owners of Carlisle Airport, remained outside the enlarged group, still owned by WA Developments.
With the Westbury takeover Stobart gained the Port of Weston in Runcorn. At the same time as the Westbury merger it was announced that the "O'Connor Group" was also being purchased by Westlink, at the time a wholly owned business of Westbury. The O'Connor Group operates a truck fleet of approximately 90 vehicles, offering transmodal road rail services at the 'inland port', Widnes Intermodal Rail Depot.
In March 2007 Westbury had also acquired AHC – a rail terminal operator and storage, facilities handling and transport business – operating on a site adjacent to the O'Connor terminal. Westbury also operated a joint venture, Victa Westlink Rail
, between its Westlink subsidiary and Victa Railfreight.
At the same time, the group announced the purchase of the William Stobart and Andrew Tinkler owned partner company W. A. Developments Ltd., which had been advising Stobart on the redevelopment of the inland port operation in Widnes and potential port operation in Runcorn, and a £50,000 option agreement to purchase Carlisle Lake District Airport, controlled by WA Developments
through Stobart Air Holdings, for £15 million (£2.5 million in cash and £12.5 million in new Stobart Group shares). At the beginning of June 2008, W. A. Developments Ltd. was re-named Stobart Rail
Ltd and became responsible for all the railway activities of the group.This is now contained in the Stobart Infrastructure and Civils division.
On 1 April 2008 the Stobart Group (incorporating Eddie Stobart Ltd) started its first dedicated operations in Ireland, Stobart Ireland, based in Dublin. This followed the purchase of TDG (company)'s Irish trailer business
In July 2008 it was announced that the group had taken over the chilled and ambient goods distribution operations from the administrators of Innovate Logistics Limited, saving the jobs of around 1,300 Innovate employees.
On 2 December 2008, the Stobart Group announced the surprise £21 million purchase of London Southend Airport
, through its subsidiary Stobart Airports Ltd from Regional Airports Ltd (who also own London Biggin Hill Airport
). At the time, the book value of London Southend Airport's assets were £25.5 million, and the acquisition was later described as a "bargain purchase" by the Stobart Group. The deal was paid as to £10 million in new Stobart Group shares, £6 million by a vendor loan note, and the remaining £5 million was paid on the condition of London Southend Airport completing its expansion plans.
At the time of the sale of London Southend Airport to the Stobart Group, Global Infrastructure Partners
, the owner of London City Airport
, was seen as the preferred buyer, offering up to £55 million for the airport. However, it instead opted to buy Gatwick Airport.
Following the purchase of London Southend Airport
, Stobart Group was said to be interested in buying Humberside Airport
when it was put up for sale by the Manchester Airports Group. However, the Manchester Airports Group later withdrew from the sale.
In January 2009, Stobart Group's subsidiary, Stobart Airports Ltd., exercised its option to acquire Carlisle Lake District Airport from Stobart Air Holdings for £14 million (£1 million less than originally announced). Following an independent shareholder vote, the acquisition was completed in May 2009, and the purchase price was reduced to £9.9 million due to a fall in the value of Stobart Group shares.
On 14 September 2009, MP David Taylor officially opened Stobart's Nestlé distribution centre in Bardon, Coalville, Leicestershire, after a £7 million refurbishment creating an extra 62 jobs. The new site previously owned by Innovate Logistics, at full capacity, will hold 110,000 pallets, and 88,000 tonnes of goods. The hub distributes approx 75% of Nestlé UK's deliveries of products such as Kit-Kats, Smarties and Nescafé.
On 24 March 2010, the Stobart Group announced the purchase of 50% of A. W. Jenkinson Biomass Ltd, from A. W. Jenkinson, for £30 million, as an equal mix of cash and shares. A. W. Jenkinson Biomass Ltd was then re-named Stobart Biomass Products Ltd. http://www.roadtransport.com/Articles/2010/03/24/135824/Stobart-Group-and-AW-Jenkinson-in-biomass-firm-link-up.htm
On 11 October 2010, the Stobart Group announced it was purchasing a convertible preference share in the Irish airline Aer Arann
for €2.5 million. At the same time, Aer Arann announced that it would start twice daily flights from Stobart Group's London Southend Airport
to Galway
and Waterford
in Ireland
from 27 March 2011.
) of 77,339,766 new ordinary shares in the Stobart Group to raise net proceeds of £114.9 million to achieve its growth plans.
The Stobart Group also announced it was buying the remaining 50% of Stobart Biomass Products it did not already own for £20 million.
Due to a fall in property values during 2007-2011, the Stobart Group also announced an option to buy back Westbury Properties Ltd. from WADI Properties Ltd. expiring on 15 August 2011, as some of its properties, owned by a Westbury Properties Ltd. subsidiary, Moneypenny Ltd., were used by the Stobart Group for its operations.
in the FTSE 250 Index
under the symbol STOB.
All figures below are for the Stobart Group's financial years, which run for 52 or 53 week periods to late February.
Source
logistics
company with interests in Transport and Distribution, Estates, Infrastructure and Civils, Air and Biomass. It is listed on the London Stock Exchange
and is a constituent of the FTSE 250 Index
.
From beginnings in agriculture
and then as a road haulage company, the company has expanded into rail and air transport, as well as logistics management and warehousing. After growth of a high profile image through distinctive and individually named trucks, the group attracted an 'Eddie spotting' fan base, and subsequently developed an official fan club, and a merchandising operation selling Eddie Stobart branded goods. The brand has been expanded into sponsorship, particularly the Stobart Motorsport
operation.
There are now five main business divisions within the company: Stobart Transport and Distribution, Stobart Estates, Stobart Infrastructure and Civils, Stobart Air and Stobart Biomass.
The Eddie Stobart haulage operation is now known as Stobart Transport and Distribution, containing all the warehousing and distribution activities (including Stobart Rail
rail freight services and the Stobart Ports land port
division). Stobart's distinctive trucks operate throughout Europe, travelling as far as Kiev in Ukraine
. 82% of the Stobart Group's turnover comes from this division.
The Stobart Air division operates London Southend Airport
purchased on 2 December 2008, and Carlisle Lake District Airport, purchased in May 2009.
In 2005, and again in 2007, Eddie Stobart was recognised as a UK Superbrand by Superbrands Ltd
.
Despite its relatively large size, Eddie Stobart only has a 2% market share of the road haulage industry.
It operates from 40 sites in the UK and Europe and includes the previous divisions of Eddie Stobart: The original trucking business; Stobart Ireland: Warehousing and cross-docking facilities for all of Ireland; Stobart Rail
: Rail Freight solutions; and Stobart Ports: Waterway and inland container ports.
William Stobart
, the Chief Operating Officer
of the Stobart Group, heads this division.
The largest part of the Stobart Transport and Distribution division is the original Eddie Stobart business.
In the Edward Stobart era Customer liveries where also used for companies such as Knauf,United Glass,Gerber Foods,Britvic and Schmalbach lubeca.
To reflect the transfer of the company to WA Developments
, and with the invention of a new wraparound shrink wrap adhesive plastic application technique, the standard livery was updated and changed to a more blended arrangement, with the dropping of yellow, and the traditionalist style white detailing and shadow effect fleet name. The main identity changed to just "Eddie Stobart" with white lettering and no shading effect, with the strapline "Trans - Store - Logistics". Some trailers carry a whiter refrigeration livery. The striped white bumper effect is now extended around the vehicle, and is reflective as a night safety feature. Other Stobart trucks can carry complete customer liveries, most notably for Tesco
, Coke Cola, Brawn GP, Mercesdes GP, Pirelli or the light blue of Knauf.
Stobart Rail carry the same livery as Eddie Stobart tractor units but have a main colour of Blue instead of the Green of Eddie Stobart.
Despite news reports to the contrary, the Irlam and O'Connor fleets have started to receive Stobart liveried trucks, although the "Stobart" at the top front of the tractor unit is changed to "Irlam" or "O'Connor", with the relevant web address in place of the Eddie Stobart one. as of 2011 all Stobart tractor units that had previously carried the "Irlam" or "O'Connor" branding now carry Stobart Group branding.
The recent company additions to the group, the different in house customer liveries used, and the changeover of standard liveries can result in odd combinations of liveries between tractor and trailer combinations.
The Stobart sponsored rally team uses a specially liveried trailer.
" and singers "Tammy" (Wynette
), "Dolly" (Parton
) and "Suzi" (Quatro
). Names are now often chosen with connections to drivers, or to commemorate long-serving employees. The practice has been expanded to cover other Stobart vehicles, including their sponsored sports cars and the Stobart Rail locomotive "Eddie the Engine".
With the expansion of the fleet, names have become harder to choose, and the fleet now features "Tuula Karina" (Finnish), "Angharrad" (Welsh), "Anstice" and "Saoirse Erin" (Irish, meaning 'Free Ireland'). Currently the vehicles with the shortest and longest names are "Nia" and "Gladys Duchess of Overton", both on Scania R420s.
There are some exceptions to the female naming convention (including Eddie the Engine). In 2005, in celebration of 20 years of Transformers Stobarts named a MAN tractor "Optimus Prime
" and recently during the filming of a television series entitled "Eddie Stobart: Trucks and Trailers" a Volvo FH12 was christened "Valentino" after Valentino Rossi, the legendary Italian motorcycle racer, which caused a furore among spotters.
Members of the fan club can also request a name, providing it is not already in use, but currently there is a three-year waiting list. When the name does finally get added to a truck a certificate and letter is sent to the person who requested it.
with diesel as a back-up.
service, and (formerly) for passengers. Rail operations were provided for the group by Direct Rail Services
(DRS), but in 2009 it announced that it was switching partners to DB Schenker Rail (UK)
.. Stobart also operated a short lived Stobart Pullman
charter train.
For rail freight transport the group owns warehousing at the rail-connected Daventry International Railfreight Terminal
(DIRFT), and owns the rail-connected Widnes Intermodal Rail Depot.
A service operated by DRS started on 4 November 2008 from Inverness southwards carrying containers operated for Tesco. The containers all carry the "Stobart Rail" or "Tesco - Less CO2" branding. Trucks carrying Stobart Rail branded containers are also carried by the haulage company J G Russell which partners Stobart in this operation.
The Stobart Group also briefly entered the passenger railtour
market, through the Stobart Pullman
, which was a rebranding of the Hertfordshire Rail Tours
business inherited from Victa Westlink Rail. Traction was provided by Direct Rail Services
using Stobart branded carriages. It was launched in February 2008 but as of July 2008 the operation was suspended, presumed closed.
On 30 October 2009 Stobart Rail commenced a new train service (operated in conjunction with DB Schenker Rail (UK); it operates a 1,100 mile journey from Valencia, providing a low carbon alternative for the import of fresh Spanish produce, terminating at the Ford Dagenham rail head.
Stobart Rail operate the Southend Airport railway station
which it opened on 18 July 2011.
If the Westbury Properties Ltd option is exercised, then that company will be integrated into this division.
The Head of this division is Richard Butcher, the Group Deputy CEO of the Stobart Group.
: Rail Infrastructure Engineering (originally W. A. Developments Ltd).
The Co-Heads of this division are Andy Bathgate and Kirk Taylor.
. It also owns a convertible preference share in Aer Arann
.
The Head of this division is Alastair Welch.
in December 2008. It is operated by The London Southend Airport Company Ltd.
, which was acquired in October 2010.
It was formed in March 2010 when the Stobart Group purchased 50% of A. W. Jenkinson Biomass Ltd, which was then re-named as Stobart Biomass Products Ltd. The remaining 50% was bought in May 2011.
The Head of this division is Allan Jenkinson, the owner of A. W. Jenkinson Forest Products.
was formed, eventually supported by the company which arranges depot tours and lorry rides, and sells model lorries etc. For a few years in the 1990s the company ran a fan club shop in Carlisle's city centre.
To help celebrate the 25th Anniversary of Eddie Stobart Ltd, the Somerset group The Wurzels
recorded a new song "I wanna be an Eddie Stobart Driver". The song graced the UK Top 100 in 1995. The original, together with a spoof called "I wanna join the Eddie Stobart fan club", are still available for download via iTunes
. There is also a range of Eddie Stobart toys available.
on Saturday 17th September 2011 at Rockingham Motor Speedway
, they also annouced that filming will take place on the day for 3rd series of the Stobart Group TV show called Eddie Stobart Trucks, Trains and Planes. The show was previosuly called Eddie Stobart Trucks and Trailers.
in 2004 and its subsequent listing on the London Stock Exchange
in 2007, Stobart has taken to a high profile sponsorship programme, including:
Sponsorship of the Professional Jockeys Association.
in Scotland, to transport goods for Tesco
who were in dispute with their distribution centre drivers and facing disruption to their supply chain. The Stobart drivers refused to cross the Livingston picket line.
By 8 April talks had proceeded, and centred on ten disputed points.
On 10 April it was announced that Andrew Tinkler and Carlisle City Council leader Mike Mitchelson shook hands on a revised list of conditions for the plan.
However the plans were called in by the Government and Andrew Tinkler withdrew the application.
Planning permission was granted in December 2008 for the Carlisle Lake District Airport expansion and other developments, including a resurfaced runway and new terminal, a major transport and distribution facility for Eddie Stobart Ltd, along with a joint headquarters building.
In January 2009, Stobart Group exercised its option to acquire Carlisle Lake District Airport from Stobart Air Holdings for £14 million (£1 million less than originally announced). Following an independent shareholder vote, the acquisition was completed in May 2009, and the purchase price was reduced to £9.9 million due to a fall in the value of Stobart Group shares.
On 19 May 2010 the Court of Appeal overturned the City Council's decision to grant planning permission due to an objection by a local farmer, a Mr Gordon Brown, on the grounds that a full environmental assessment had not been carried out before permission was considered. Eddie Stobart Ltd. expressed disappointment with the ruling and stated that, although they still retained a long-term commitment to Cumbria, in view of contractual obligations, they would now instead have to use facilities elsewhere.
In January 2011, Stobart Air submitted proposals to build a 394,000 sq ft Air Freight Distribution Centre on the site. Under the plans, Eddie Stobart would re-locate all its Carlisle depots to the airport, and there would be passenger flights to and from London Southend Airport
, operated by Aer Arann
, an airline partly owned by the Stobart Group through a convertible preference share acquired in October 2010.http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cumbria-12204299 Further details on jobs and flights were supplied in support of the application in July 2011http://www.in-cumbria.com/stobart-group-submits-extra-detail-for-carlisle-airport-revamp-plans-1.869873?referrerPath=home but a decision is not expected until late 2011.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
multimodal
Multimodal
Multimodal may refer to:* Multimodal distribution, a statistical distribution of values with multiple peaks* Multimodal interaction, a form of human-machine interaction using multiple modes of input/output....
logistics
Logistics
Logistics is the management of the flow of goods between the point of origin and the point of destination in order to meet the requirements of customers or corporations. Logistics involves the integration of information, transportation, inventory, warehousing, material handling, and packaging, and...
company, with interests in Transport and Distribution, Estates, Infrastructure and Civils, Air and Biomass, through operations in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
and Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
. The company is incorporated in Guernsey
Guernsey
Guernsey, officially the Bailiwick of Guernsey is a British Crown dependency in the English Channel off the coast of Normandy.The Bailiwick, as a governing entity, embraces not only all 10 parishes on the Island of Guernsey, but also the islands of Herm, Jethou, Burhou, and Lihou and their islet...
but has operational head offices in Carlisle, Cumbria and Widnes
Widnes
Widnes is an industrial town within the borough of Halton, in Cheshire, England, with an urban area population of 57,663 in 2004. It is located on the northern bank of the River Mersey where the estuary narrows to form the Runcorn Gap. Directly to the south across the Mersey is the town of Runcorn...
, Cheshire
Cheshire
Cheshire is a ceremonial county in North West England. Cheshire's county town is the city of Chester, although its largest town is Warrington. Other major towns include Widnes, Congleton, Crewe, Ellesmere Port, Runcorn, Macclesfield, Winsford, Northwich, and Wilmslow...
but hopes eventually to re-locate its Carlisle, Cumbria offices to a new, purpose-built building at Carlisle Lake District Airport, where it owns a 150-year lease expiring in 2150.
Started by 'Steady' Eddie Stobart in the 1950s as an agricultural business in Cumbria
Cumbria
Cumbria , is a non-metropolitan county in North West England. The county and Cumbria County Council, its local authority, came into existence in 1974 after the passage of the Local Government Act 1972. Cumbria's largest settlement and county town is Carlisle. It consists of six districts, and in...
, the company was incorporated as Eddie Stobart Ltd.
Eddie Stobart Ltd.
Stobart Group Ltd is a large British multimodal logistics company, with interests in Transport and Distribution, Estates, Infrastructure and Civils, Air and Biomass, through operations in the United Kingdom, Ireland and Belgium...
on 23 November 1970 as a haulage firm, eventually passing to his son, Edward Stobart
Edward Stobart
Edward Stobart was a British haulage company owner who first became involved with his father's company aged 15 in 1969, and subsequently expanded it into one of the UK's most well known multimodal logistics companies, Stobart Group...
. After a series of complex takeovers, the Stobart company has developed from a haulage company to an intermodal logistics company, achieving a stock market listing without an IPO
Initial public offering
An initial public offering or stock market launch, is the first sale of stock by a private company to the public. It can be used by either small or large companies to raise expansion capital and become publicly traded enterprises...
through a reverse takeover
Reverse takeover
A reverse takeover or reverse merger is the acquisition of a public company by a private company so that the private company can bypass the lengthy and complex process of going public...
of the Westbury Property Fund. Following the step down of Edward in 2003, the Stobart family is now represented in the business through Edward's brother William Stobart
William Stobart
William Stobart is the current Chief Operating Officer of the Stobart Group Limited.He currently lives in his newly built home at Peover Superior in Cheshire....
.
Brother-in-laws Andrew Tinkler and William Stobart
William Stobart
William Stobart is the current Chief Operating Officer of the Stobart Group Limited.He currently lives in his newly built home at Peover Superior in Cheshire....
hold 8.18% and 3.77% respectively of the Stobart Group as of May 2011. Allan Jenkinson holds 4.9% of the company, the Irlam family hold 2.88% of the company and Steve O'Connor
Steve O'Connor
Steve O'Connor played 290 games in the Australian National Soccer League and represented Australia in the national team with 44 Socceroo appearances.-Background:...
holds a further just under 3% of the company as of May 2011. The largest overall shareholder is now the investment management company Invesco who now holds 36.51% of the Stobart Group as of May 2011.
The company is listed on the London Stock Exchange
London Stock Exchange
The London Stock Exchange is a stock exchange located in the City of London within the United Kingdom. , the Exchange had a market capitalisation of US$3.7495 trillion, making it the fourth-largest stock exchange in the world by this measurement...
and is a constituent of the FTSE 250 Index
FTSE 250 Index
The FTSE 250 Index is a capitalisation-weighted index consisting of the 101st to the 350th largest companies on the London Stock Exchange. Promotions to and demotions from the index take place quarterly in March, June, September and December...
. However, unlike most public companies, Stobart Group retains its "Ltd
LTD
- Business and finance :*Ltd. or Ltd, denotes a business incorporated under the laws of England, Wales, Scotland, Canada, other Commonwealth countries, the Republic of Ireland, Cyprus, Israel and some Anglophone countries in Africa, like Ghana or Nigeria....
" status as it is registered in Guernsey
Guernsey
Guernsey, officially the Bailiwick of Guernsey is a British Crown dependency in the English Channel off the coast of Normandy.The Bailiwick, as a governing entity, embraces not only all 10 parishes on the Island of Guernsey, but also the islands of Herm, Jethou, Burhou, and Lihou and their islet...
and not England & Wales or Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
, which would require it to change its suffix to "plc
PLC
-Business:* Public limited company, a type of limited company whose shares may be sold to the public* Program length commercial, or infomercial* Product life cycle, the succession of stages a product goes through...
" status.
Origins
Cumbria
Cumbria , is a non-metropolitan county in North West England. The county and Cumbria County Council, its local authority, came into existence in 1974 after the passage of the Local Government Act 1972. Cumbria's largest settlement and county town is Carlisle. It consists of six districts, and in...
. His son, Edward Stobart Junior, was born in Cumberland
Cumberland
Cumberland is a historic county of North West England, on the border with Scotland, from the 12th century until 1974. It formed an administrative county from 1889 to 1974 and now forms part of Cumbria....
in England on 21 November 1954 at his parents' house just outside Hesket Newmarket
Hesket Newmarket
Hesket Newmarket is a small village in Cumbria, on the opposite side of Skiddaw to Keswick in the North West of England. It is famed for two social enterprises, a co-operatively-owned pub, the Old Crown Inn and a co-operatively-owned brewery, the Hesket Newmarket Brewery.-Etymology:The name is...
near Carlisle. He was one of four children, with an elder sister Anne, an elder brother John and a younger brother William. He was always called Edward to avoid confusion with his father Eddie. He was very interested in lorries, and when he left school, he started working for his father's contracting business delivering agricultural material in the region. By 1970, the company consisted of three main parts: Fertilizer
Fertilizer
Fertilizer is any organic or inorganic material of natural or synthetic origin that is added to a soil to supply one or more plant nutrients essential to the growth of plants. A recent assessment found that about 40 to 60% of crop yields are attributable to commercial fertilizer use...
, Haulage
Haulage
Haulage may refer to:* The business of being a haulier or hauler , also called haulage contractor, common carrier, contract carrier, or private carrier, in other words of transporting goods by road or rail for other companies or one's own company.* The horizontal transport of ore, coal, supplies,...
and the Farm shop. The various parts were eventually split up between the family members, with Edward having haulage and the name, Eddie Stobart Ltd.
Move to Carlisle
In 1976 Edward and the fleet of eight lorries moved to Carlisle to be closer to the M6 motorwayM6 motorway
The M6 motorway runs from junction 19 of the M1 at the Catthorpe Interchange, near Rugby via Birmingham then heads north, passing Stoke-on-Trent, Manchester, Preston, Carlisle and terminating at the Gretna junction . Here, just short of the Scottish border it becomes the A74 which continues to...
.
A lot of hard work, never declining an order, and a virtual paranoia about keeping his lorries, characterised by their Tautliner
Tautliner
Tautliner is used as a generic name for curtain sided trucks/trailers. It is the trade name of commercial vehicles built by Boalloy of Congleton, Cheshire, England...
bodies, immaculately clean eventually paid off, and Edward started to get orders from larger businesses. One of the key success factors for the company was its specific emphasis on building a strong reputation and corporate image
Corporate image
A corporate image refers to how a corporation is perceived. It is a generally accepted image of what a company stands for. Marketing experts who use public relations and other forms of promotion to suggest a mental picture to the public...
. For example, in the 1980s and 1990s, if any driver was caught not wearing a tie while on duty, he or she could face disciplinary action. Similarly, the company had a policy that all drivers must wave back and honk their horn in the traditional truck-driver fashion when signalled by a passer-by or "Eddie spotter" to do so.
Other key elements in its growth at this time were the introduction of a new management team in 1986 and the opening, on 1 April 1987, of its first depot in the English Midlands
English Midlands
The Midlands, or the English Midlands, is the traditional name for the area comprising central England that broadly corresponds to the early medieval Kingdom of Mercia. It borders Southern England, Northern England, East Anglia and Wales. Its largest city is Birmingham, and it was an important...
(at Burnaston
Burnaston
Burnaston is a village located in Derbyshire, just south of the city of Derby.The village is famous for its huge Toyota car plant - one of several British car plants built by Japanese carmakers as part of cost-saving measures to avoid such expenses as import duties and shipping costs...
).
By 2000 the enlarged Eddie Stobart Group Ltd. consisted of three divisions: Eddie Stobart Ltd., Eddie Stobart International and Eddie Stobart Promotions.
The Fuel Crisis
By 2002 the company was experiencing financial difficulties caused by the fuel crisis. In 2001 the haulage business had posted its first loss, with the fan club making more money than the haulage business.Purchase by WA Developments
In November 2003 Eddie Stobart was sold to WA DevelopmentsWA Developments
W A Developments Holdings Ltd is the private investment holding company 73% owned by Andrew Tinkler, the Chief Executive Officer of the Stobart Group, and 27% owned by William Stobart, the Chief Operating Officer of the Stobart Group.-The original company:WA Developments was founded on 25 May 1993...
, a civil engineering company that specialised in railway maintenance, based in Appleby-in-Westmorland
Appleby-in-Westmorland
Appleby-in-Westmorland is a town and civil parish in Cumbria, in North West England. It is situated within a loop of the River Eden and has a population of approximately 2,500. It is in the historic county of Westmorland, of which it was the county town. The town's name was simply Appleby, until...
, Cumbria
Cumbria
Cumbria , is a non-metropolitan county in North West England. The county and Cumbria County Council, its local authority, came into existence in 1974 after the passage of the Local Government Act 1972. Cumbria's largest settlement and county town is Carlisle. It consists of six districts, and in...
. At the time, Eddie Stobart was 55% owned by Edward Stobart and 45% owned by his brother William. WA Developments was 27% owned by William and 73% owned by William's school friend, brother-in-law and business partner Andrew Tinkler. In effect, therefore, William Stobart's stake in Eddie Stobart reduced from 45% to 27%.
Eddie Stobart Group Ltd. became a subsidiary of W.A. Developments (International) Ltd, a parent company of WA Developments created to purchase Eddie Stobart Group Ltd, in February 2004 when the transaction completed. Upon completion, Andrew Tinkler became Chairman and William Stobart became Managing Director of Eddie Stobart.
Acquisition of Carlisle Airport
Following further growth, the company had previously been looking to move from its Carlisle base and was considering a relocation further down the M6 motorway to Warrington. These plans were rejected due to potential job losses in Carlisle. Stobart had also been considering expanding into the air freight business. On 7 April 2006 Haughey Airports Ltd – the company which operated Carlisle AirportCarlisle Airport
Carlisle Lake District Airport or Carlisle Airport is located east northeast of Carlisle, Cumbria, England.Carlisle has a CAA Public Use Aerodrome Licence that allows flights for the public transport of passengers or for flying instruction, up to a maximum takeoff weight authorised of 12.5...
– was acquired by Eddie Stobart's parent company WA Developments
WA Developments
W A Developments Holdings Ltd is the private investment holding company 73% owned by Andrew Tinkler, the Chief Executive Officer of the Stobart Group, and 27% owned by William Stobart, the Chief Operating Officer of the Stobart Group.-The original company:WA Developments was founded on 25 May 1993...
, through a subsidiary company Stobart Air Holdings Ltd. Haughey Airports Ltd was then re-named Stobart Air Ltd, and Carlisle Airport was re-branded as Carlisle Lake District Airport.
Plans were announced to redevelop the airport site to include a new passenger terminal, an air freight service, a new joint headquarters for WDA and Eddie Stobart, and a 750000 square feet (69,677.3 m²) distribution centre.
Expansion into Rail Freight
In September 2006 Stobart increased its rail operations by launching a new rail freight service for TescoTesco
Tesco plc is a global grocery and general merchandise retailer headquartered in Cheshunt, United Kingdom. It is the third-largest retailer in the world measured by revenues and the second-largest measured by profits...
, under the Stobart Rail
Stobart Rail
Stobart Rail is a railway freight service operator in the United Kingdom. Stobart Rail now comes under the Stobart Transport and Distribution division of the Stobart Group, and carries intermodal freight for the group...
banner.
Listing on the London Stock Exchange
Im 2007, following the need for further investment in Eddie Stobart, WA DevelopmentsWA Developments
W A Developments Holdings Ltd is the private investment holding company 73% owned by Andrew Tinkler, the Chief Executive Officer of the Stobart Group, and 27% owned by William Stobart, the Chief Operating Officer of the Stobart Group.-The original company:WA Developments was founded on 25 May 1993...
appointed Royal Bank of Scotland
Royal Bank of Scotland
The Royal Bank of Scotland Group is a British banking and insurance holding company in which the UK Government holds an 84% stake. This stake is held and managed through UK Financial Investments Limited, whose voting rights are limited to 75% in order for the bank to retain its listing on the...
to discuss its options. French rival Norbert Dentressangle
Norbert Dentressangle
Norbert Dentressangle is a major European transport, logistics, and freight forwarding company. It was founded in London in 1979, initially concentrating on cross-channel transport between France and the United Kingdom....
said it would be interested in buying Eddie Stobart, but Andrew Tinkler preferred external investment, without a complete sale.
On 15 August 2007 the Stobart business gained a stock market listing through the reverse acquisition of the Westbury Property Fund Ltd, a commercial property and ports company.
Westbury acquired the ultimate Eddie Stobart Ltd. holding company, Stobart Holdings, from W.A. Developments (International) Ltd. for £137.7 million: £62 million in cash and £76 million in new Westbury Property Fund shares. The re-named Westbury group then became the London Stock Exchange
London Stock Exchange
The London Stock Exchange is a stock exchange located in the City of London within the United Kingdom. , the Exchange had a market capitalisation of US$3.7495 trillion, making it the fourth-largest stock exchange in the world by this measurement...
listed Stobart Group Ltd., with Andrew Tinkler and William Stobart
William Stobart
William Stobart is the current Chief Operating Officer of the Stobart Group Limited.He currently lives in his newly built home at Peover Superior in Cheshire....
becoming substantial shareholders holding 20% and 8.5% respectively of the Stobart Group and becoming Chief Executive Officer
Chief executive officer
A chief executive officer , managing director , Executive Director for non-profit organizations, or chief executive is the highest-ranking corporate officer or administrator in charge of total management of an organization...
and Chief Operating Officer
Chief operating officer
A Chief Operating Officer or Director of Operations can be one of the highest-ranking executives in an organization and comprises part of the "C-Suite"...
of the Stobart Group respectively.
In return, Westbury would sell the bulk of its commercial property portfolio, Westbury Properties Ltd., to another WA Developments subsidiary, WADI Properties Ltd., for £142.1 million in cash. The Stobart Air operation, owners of Carlisle Airport, remained outside the enlarged group, still owned by WA Developments.
With the Westbury takeover Stobart gained the Port of Weston in Runcorn. At the same time as the Westbury merger it was announced that the "O'Connor Group" was also being purchased by Westlink, at the time a wholly owned business of Westbury. The O'Connor Group operates a truck fleet of approximately 90 vehicles, offering transmodal road rail services at the 'inland port', Widnes Intermodal Rail Depot.
In March 2007 Westbury had also acquired AHC – a rail terminal operator and storage, facilities handling and transport business – operating on a site adjacent to the O'Connor terminal. Westbury also operated a joint venture, Victa Westlink Rail
Victa Westlink Rail
Victa Westlink Rail was a railway company based at Derby, United Kingdom. The company was formed in December 2006 following the liquidation of FM Rail. It has since been absorbed by Stobart Rail....
, between its Westlink subsidiary and Victa Railfreight.
Stobart Group's First Acquisitions
On 10 March 2008 the Stobart Group announced the acquisition of James Irlam & Sons Ltd, one of the largest independently owned road transport logistics providers in the UK. The company was purchased from the Irlam family for £59.9 million.At the same time, the group announced the purchase of the William Stobart and Andrew Tinkler owned partner company W. A. Developments Ltd., which had been advising Stobart on the redevelopment of the inland port operation in Widnes and potential port operation in Runcorn, and a £50,000 option agreement to purchase Carlisle Lake District Airport, controlled by WA Developments
WA Developments
W A Developments Holdings Ltd is the private investment holding company 73% owned by Andrew Tinkler, the Chief Executive Officer of the Stobart Group, and 27% owned by William Stobart, the Chief Operating Officer of the Stobart Group.-The original company:WA Developments was founded on 25 May 1993...
through Stobart Air Holdings, for £15 million (£2.5 million in cash and £12.5 million in new Stobart Group shares). At the beginning of June 2008, W. A. Developments Ltd. was re-named Stobart Rail
Stobart Rail
Stobart Rail is a railway freight service operator in the United Kingdom. Stobart Rail now comes under the Stobart Transport and Distribution division of the Stobart Group, and carries intermodal freight for the group...
Ltd and became responsible for all the railway activities of the group.This is now contained in the Stobart Infrastructure and Civils division.
On 1 April 2008 the Stobart Group (incorporating Eddie Stobart Ltd) started its first dedicated operations in Ireland, Stobart Ireland, based in Dublin. This followed the purchase of TDG (company)'s Irish trailer business
In July 2008 it was announced that the group had taken over the chilled and ambient goods distribution operations from the administrators of Innovate Logistics Limited, saving the jobs of around 1,300 Innovate employees.
On 2 December 2008, the Stobart Group announced the surprise £21 million purchase of London Southend Airport
London Southend Airport
London Southend Airport or Southend Airport is a regional airport in the district of Rochford within Essex, England.During the 1960s, Southend was the third-busiest airport in the United Kingdom. It remained London's third-busiest airport in terms of passengers handled until the end of the 1970s,...
, through its subsidiary Stobart Airports Ltd from Regional Airports Ltd (who also own London Biggin Hill Airport
London Biggin Hill Airport
London Biggin Hill Airport is an airport at Biggin Hill in the London Borough of Bromley, located south southeast of Central London, United Kingdom...
). At the time, the book value of London Southend Airport's assets were £25.5 million, and the acquisition was later described as a "bargain purchase" by the Stobart Group. The deal was paid as to £10 million in new Stobart Group shares, £6 million by a vendor loan note, and the remaining £5 million was paid on the condition of London Southend Airport completing its expansion plans.
At the time of the sale of London Southend Airport to the Stobart Group, Global Infrastructure Partners
Global Infrastructure Partners
Global Infrastructure Partners is an infrastructure owning company, a private equity fund led by Credit Suisse and General Electric. Current assets include a 75% stake in London City Airport, Biffa Limited, a UK based waste management company and Gatwick Airport after recently acquiring it from...
, the owner of London City Airport
London City Airport
London City Airport is a single-runway airport. It principally serves the financial district of London and is located on a former Docklands site, east of the City of London, opposite the London Regatta Centre, in the London Borough of Newham in east London. It was developed by the engineering...
, was seen as the preferred buyer, offering up to £55 million for the airport. However, it instead opted to buy Gatwick Airport.
Following the purchase of London Southend Airport
London Southend Airport
London Southend Airport or Southend Airport is a regional airport in the district of Rochford within Essex, England.During the 1960s, Southend was the third-busiest airport in the United Kingdom. It remained London's third-busiest airport in terms of passengers handled until the end of the 1970s,...
, Stobart Group was said to be interested in buying Humberside Airport
Humberside Airport
-Cargo flights:Icelandair Cargo operate a weekly Sunday flight from Keflavík which then departs to Liege-Passenger statistics:-Bus service:An hourly daytime bus service runs from Grimsby and Hull to the airport from Monday to Saturday.-External links:**...
when it was put up for sale by the Manchester Airports Group. However, the Manchester Airports Group later withdrew from the sale.
In January 2009, Stobart Group's subsidiary, Stobart Airports Ltd., exercised its option to acquire Carlisle Lake District Airport from Stobart Air Holdings for £14 million (£1 million less than originally announced). Following an independent shareholder vote, the acquisition was completed in May 2009, and the purchase price was reduced to £9.9 million due to a fall in the value of Stobart Group shares.
On 14 September 2009, MP David Taylor officially opened Stobart's Nestlé distribution centre in Bardon, Coalville, Leicestershire, after a £7 million refurbishment creating an extra 62 jobs. The new site previously owned by Innovate Logistics, at full capacity, will hold 110,000 pallets, and 88,000 tonnes of goods. The hub distributes approx 75% of Nestlé UK's deliveries of products such as Kit-Kats, Smarties and Nescafé.
On 24 March 2010, the Stobart Group announced the purchase of 50% of A. W. Jenkinson Biomass Ltd, from A. W. Jenkinson, for £30 million, as an equal mix of cash and shares. A. W. Jenkinson Biomass Ltd was then re-named Stobart Biomass Products Ltd. http://www.roadtransport.com/Articles/2010/03/24/135824/Stobart-Group-and-AW-Jenkinson-in-biomass-firm-link-up.htm
On 11 October 2010, the Stobart Group announced it was purchasing a convertible preference share in the Irish airline Aer Arann
Aer Arann
Aer Arann is a regional airline based in Dublin, Ireland. Aer Arann operates scheduled services from Ireland and the Isle of Man to destinations in Ireland, the United Kingdom, and France, with a fleet of 18 aircraft. Aer Arann has expanded from a single aircraft to Ireland's third largest airline...
for €2.5 million. At the same time, Aer Arann announced that it would start twice daily flights from Stobart Group's London Southend Airport
London Southend Airport
London Southend Airport or Southend Airport is a regional airport in the district of Rochford within Essex, England.During the 1960s, Southend was the third-busiest airport in the United Kingdom. It remained London's third-busiest airport in terms of passengers handled until the end of the 1970s,...
to Galway
Galway
Galway or City of Galway is a city in County Galway, Republic of Ireland. It is the sixth largest and the fastest-growing city in Ireland. It is also the third largest city within the Republic and the only city in the Province of Connacht. Located on the west coast of Ireland, it sits on the...
and Waterford
Waterford
Waterford is a city in the South-East Region of Ireland. It is the oldest city in the country and fifth largest by population. Waterford City Council is the local government authority for the city and its immediate hinterland...
in Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
from 27 March 2011.
Edward Stobart's death
Edward Stobart died on Thursday 31 March 2011 suffering heart problems. He was 56.Further expansion
On 21 April 2011, the Stobart Group announced a Placing and Open Offer (similar to a rights issueRights issue
A rights issue is an issue of additional shares by a company to raise capital under a seasoned equity offering. The rights issue is a special form of shelf offering or shelf registration. With the issued rights, existing shareholders have the privilege to buy a specified number of new shares from...
) of 77,339,766 new ordinary shares in the Stobart Group to raise net proceeds of £114.9 million to achieve its growth plans.
The Stobart Group also announced it was buying the remaining 50% of Stobart Biomass Products it did not already own for £20 million.
Due to a fall in property values during 2007-2011, the Stobart Group also announced an option to buy back Westbury Properties Ltd. from WADI Properties Ltd. expiring on 15 August 2011, as some of its properties, owned by a Westbury Properties Ltd. subsidiary, Moneypenny Ltd., were used by the Stobart Group for its operations.
Financial performance
Stobart Group is listed on the London Stock ExchangeLondon Stock Exchange
The London Stock Exchange is a stock exchange located in the City of London within the United Kingdom. , the Exchange had a market capitalisation of US$3.7495 trillion, making it the fourth-largest stock exchange in the world by this measurement...
in the FTSE 250 Index
FTSE 250 Index
The FTSE 250 Index is a capitalisation-weighted index consisting of the 101st to the 350th largest companies on the London Stock Exchange. Promotions to and demotions from the index take place quarterly in March, June, September and December...
under the symbol STOB.
All figures below are for the Stobart Group's financial years, which run for 52 or 53 week periods to late February.
| 52/3 weeks ended | Turnover (£m) | Profit before tax (£m) | Dividend per share (p) | Adjusted earnings per share Earnings per share Earnings per share is the amount of earnings per each outstanding share of a company's stock.In the United States, the Financial Accounting Standards Board requires companies' income statements to report EPS for each of the major categories of the income statement: continuing operations,... diluted (p) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28 February 2011 | 500.39 | 29.47 | 6 | 9.02 |
| 28 February 2010 | 447.66 | 33.29 | 12 | 11.58 |
| 28 February 2009 | 431.06 | 29.72 | 6 | (4.07) |
| 29 February 2008 | 108.84 | 3.52 | 8.3 | (22.92) |
| 31 December 2006 | 0.42 | (1.12) | 6 | 58.29 |
| 31 December 2005 | 7.59 | 13.7 | 6 | 26.48 |
| 31 December 2004 | 5.43 | 7.56 | 8 | 54.04 |
Source
Current operations
Stobart Group is the UK's leading multimodalMultimodal
Multimodal may refer to:* Multimodal distribution, a statistical distribution of values with multiple peaks* Multimodal interaction, a form of human-machine interaction using multiple modes of input/output....
logistics
Logistics
Logistics is the management of the flow of goods between the point of origin and the point of destination in order to meet the requirements of customers or corporations. Logistics involves the integration of information, transportation, inventory, warehousing, material handling, and packaging, and...
company with interests in Transport and Distribution, Estates, Infrastructure and Civils, Air and Biomass. It is listed on the London Stock Exchange
London Stock Exchange
The London Stock Exchange is a stock exchange located in the City of London within the United Kingdom. , the Exchange had a market capitalisation of US$3.7495 trillion, making it the fourth-largest stock exchange in the world by this measurement...
and is a constituent of the FTSE 250 Index
FTSE 250 Index
The FTSE 250 Index is a capitalisation-weighted index consisting of the 101st to the 350th largest companies on the London Stock Exchange. Promotions to and demotions from the index take place quarterly in March, June, September and December...
.
From beginnings in agriculture
Agriculture
Agriculture is the cultivation of animals, plants, fungi and other life forms for food, fiber, and other products used to sustain life. Agriculture was the key implement in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created food surpluses that nurtured the...
and then as a road haulage company, the company has expanded into rail and air transport, as well as logistics management and warehousing. After growth of a high profile image through distinctive and individually named trucks, the group attracted an 'Eddie spotting' fan base, and subsequently developed an official fan club, and a merchandising operation selling Eddie Stobart branded goods. The brand has been expanded into sponsorship, particularly the Stobart Motorsport
Stobart Motorsport
Stobart Motorsport is an offshoot of the Eddie Stobart Group. Under its title sponsorship, Stobart Motorsport supports various rally and motorbike teams.-VK M-Sport Ford Rally Team:...
operation.
There are now five main business divisions within the company: Stobart Transport and Distribution, Stobart Estates, Stobart Infrastructure and Civils, Stobart Air and Stobart Biomass.
The Eddie Stobart haulage operation is now known as Stobart Transport and Distribution, containing all the warehousing and distribution activities (including Stobart Rail
Stobart Rail
Stobart Rail is a railway freight service operator in the United Kingdom. Stobart Rail now comes under the Stobart Transport and Distribution division of the Stobart Group, and carries intermodal freight for the group...
rail freight services and the Stobart Ports land port
Inland port
The term inland port is used in two different but related ways to mean either a port on an inland waterway or an inland site carrying out some functions of a seaport.- As a port on an inland waterway :...
division). Stobart's distinctive trucks operate throughout Europe, travelling as far as Kiev in Ukraine
Ukraine
Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It has an area of 603,628 km², making it the second largest contiguous country on the European continent, after Russia...
. 82% of the Stobart Group's turnover comes from this division.
The Stobart Air division operates London Southend Airport
London Southend Airport
London Southend Airport or Southend Airport is a regional airport in the district of Rochford within Essex, England.During the 1960s, Southend was the third-busiest airport in the United Kingdom. It remained London's third-busiest airport in terms of passengers handled until the end of the 1970s,...
purchased on 2 December 2008, and Carlisle Lake District Airport, purchased in May 2009.
In 2005, and again in 2007, Eddie Stobart was recognised as a UK Superbrand by Superbrands Ltd
Superbrands
The Superbrands organization is an independent arbiter on branding. Its membership programmes pay tribute to the world's leading brands, as selected by experts and consumers. The organization also publishes a series of brand-focused books and publications...
.
Despite its relatively large size, Eddie Stobart only has a 2% market share of the road haulage industry.
Stobart Transport and Distribution
Stobart Transport and Distribution is the Stobart Group's main division, accounting for 82% of the Stobart Group's turnover. It contains all the Group's transport, storage and handling services, meeting ambient and chilled distribution, and warehousing requirements across ten business units.It operates from 40 sites in the UK and Europe and includes the previous divisions of Eddie Stobart: The original trucking business; Stobart Ireland: Warehousing and cross-docking facilities for all of Ireland; Stobart Rail
Stobart Rail
Stobart Rail is a railway freight service operator in the United Kingdom. Stobart Rail now comes under the Stobart Transport and Distribution division of the Stobart Group, and carries intermodal freight for the group...
: Rail Freight solutions; and Stobart Ports: Waterway and inland container ports.
William Stobart
William Stobart
William Stobart is the current Chief Operating Officer of the Stobart Group Limited.He currently lives in his newly built home at Peover Superior in Cheshire....
, the Chief Operating Officer
Chief operating officer
A Chief Operating Officer or Director of Operations can be one of the highest-ranking executives in an organization and comprises part of the "C-Suite"...
of the Stobart Group, heads this division.
Eddie Stobart
Liveries
Standard Eddie Stobart trucks previously carried a yellow and red shaded effect identity "Eddie Stobart Ltd." with the strapline "Express Road Haulage Specialist", although the strapline "International Logisitics" had also been used. This livery featured a basic contrast scheme of white, green, yellow and red, characterised by the yellow "S" chevron, red and white striped bumpers, and white detailing on red truck and trailer skirt panels.In the Edward Stobart era Customer liveries where also used for companies such as Knauf,United Glass,Gerber Foods,Britvic and Schmalbach lubeca.
To reflect the transfer of the company to WA Developments
WA Developments
W A Developments Holdings Ltd is the private investment holding company 73% owned by Andrew Tinkler, the Chief Executive Officer of the Stobart Group, and 27% owned by William Stobart, the Chief Operating Officer of the Stobart Group.-The original company:WA Developments was founded on 25 May 1993...
, and with the invention of a new wraparound shrink wrap adhesive plastic application technique, the standard livery was updated and changed to a more blended arrangement, with the dropping of yellow, and the traditionalist style white detailing and shadow effect fleet name. The main identity changed to just "Eddie Stobart" with white lettering and no shading effect, with the strapline "Trans - Store - Logistics". Some trailers carry a whiter refrigeration livery. The striped white bumper effect is now extended around the vehicle, and is reflective as a night safety feature. Other Stobart trucks can carry complete customer liveries, most notably for Tesco
Tesco
Tesco plc is a global grocery and general merchandise retailer headquartered in Cheshunt, United Kingdom. It is the third-largest retailer in the world measured by revenues and the second-largest measured by profits...
, Coke Cola, Brawn GP, Mercesdes GP, Pirelli or the light blue of Knauf.
Stobart Rail carry the same livery as Eddie Stobart tractor units but have a main colour of Blue instead of the Green of Eddie Stobart.
Despite news reports to the contrary, the Irlam and O'Connor fleets have started to receive Stobart liveried trucks, although the "Stobart" at the top front of the tractor unit is changed to "Irlam" or "O'Connor", with the relevant web address in place of the Eddie Stobart one. as of 2011 all Stobart tractor units that had previously carried the "Irlam" or "O'Connor" branding now carry Stobart Group branding.
The recent company additions to the group, the different in house customer liveries used, and the changeover of standard liveries can result in odd combinations of liveries between tractor and trailer combinations.
The Stobart sponsored rally team uses a specially liveried trailer.
Vehicle naming
Eddie Stobart has a long tradition of giving its trucks female names. The first four owned by Eddie Stobart were named after model "TwiggyTwiggy
Lesley Lawson née Hornby known as Twiggy is an English model, actress, and singer. In the early-1960s she became a prominent British teenage model of swinging sixties London with others such as Penelope Tree....
" and singers "Tammy" (Wynette
Tammy Wynette
Virginia Wynette Pugh, known professionally as Tammy Wynette , was an American country music singer-songwriter and one of the genre's best-known artists and biggest-selling female vocalists....
), "Dolly" (Parton
Dolly Parton
Dolly Rebecca Parton is an American singer-songwriter, author, multi-instrumentalist, actress and philanthropist, best known for her work in country music. Dolly Parton has appeared in movies like 9 to 5, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Steel Magnolias and Straight Talk...
) and "Suzi" (Quatro
Suzi Quatro
Susan Kay "Suzi" Quatro is an American singer-songwriter, bass player, and actor.She scored a string of hit singles in the 1970s that found greater success in Europe and Australia than in her homeland, and had a recurring role on the popular American sitcom Happy Days.-Music:Quatro began her...
). Names are now often chosen with connections to drivers, or to commemorate long-serving employees. The practice has been expanded to cover other Stobart vehicles, including their sponsored sports cars and the Stobart Rail locomotive "Eddie the Engine".
With the expansion of the fleet, names have become harder to choose, and the fleet now features "Tuula Karina" (Finnish), "Angharrad" (Welsh), "Anstice" and "Saoirse Erin" (Irish, meaning 'Free Ireland'). Currently the vehicles with the shortest and longest names are "Nia" and "Gladys Duchess of Overton", both on Scania R420s.
There are some exceptions to the female naming convention (including Eddie the Engine). In 2005, in celebration of 20 years of Transformers Stobarts named a MAN tractor "Optimus Prime
Optimus Prime
Optimus Prime is a fictional character from the Transformers franchise. Prime is the leader of the autobots, a faction of transforming robots from the planet Cybertron. The autobots are constantly waging war against a rival faction of transforming robots called Decepticons...
" and recently during the filming of a television series entitled "Eddie Stobart: Trucks and Trailers" a Volvo FH12 was christened "Valentino" after Valentino Rossi, the legendary Italian motorcycle racer, which caused a furore among spotters.
Members of the fan club can also request a name, providing it is not already in use, but currently there is a three-year waiting list. When the name does finally get added to a truck a certificate and letter is sent to the person who requested it.
Fuel
The Eddie Stobart fleet includes a number of Volvo FM dual-fuel trucks, running primarily on liquid natural gasLiquefied natural gas
Liquefied natural gas or LNG is natural gas that has been converted temporarily to liquid form for ease of storage or transport....
with diesel as a back-up.
Stobart Rail Freight
The Stobart Group operates some rail based services, both for freight as the Stobart RailStobart Rail
Stobart Rail is a railway freight service operator in the United Kingdom. Stobart Rail now comes under the Stobart Transport and Distribution division of the Stobart Group, and carries intermodal freight for the group...
service, and (formerly) for passengers. Rail operations were provided for the group by Direct Rail Services
Direct Rail Services
Direct Rail Services is a freight operating company created by British Nuclear Fuels Limited. The company started rail operations in 1995 using five heavily refurbished Class 20/3 diesel locomotives. Since then it has expanded greatly, and has acquired many more locomotives, most bought...
(DRS), but in 2009 it announced that it was switching partners to DB Schenker Rail (UK)
DB Schenker Rail (UK)
DB Schenker Rail , before 2009 known as English, Welsh and Scottish Railway is a British rail freight company. EWS was established by a consortium led by Wisconsin Central Transportation Corporation in 1996 by acquisition of five of the six freight companies created by the privatisation of British...
.. Stobart also operated a short lived Stobart Pullman
Stobart Pullman
The Stobart Pullman was a railtour operator in the United Kingdom, operating pullman type charter trains, as Stobart Rail Tours. The company was a subsidiary of Eddie Stobart Ltd. and was operated by Stobart’s rail partner, Direct Rail Services...
charter train.
For rail freight transport the group owns warehousing at the rail-connected Daventry International Railfreight Terminal
Daventry International Railfreight Terminal
Daventry International Rail Freight Terminal is a rail port and logistics centre located near Rugby, Warwickshire and Crick, Northamptonshire just south of the beginning of the M6 Motorway and near junction 18 of the M1 motorway...
(DIRFT), and owns the rail-connected Widnes Intermodal Rail Depot.
A service operated by DRS started on 4 November 2008 from Inverness southwards carrying containers operated for Tesco. The containers all carry the "Stobart Rail" or "Tesco - Less CO2" branding. Trucks carrying Stobart Rail branded containers are also carried by the haulage company J G Russell which partners Stobart in this operation.
The Stobart Group also briefly entered the passenger railtour
Railtour
A railtour is a special train which is run in order to allow people to experience rail travel which is not available using timetabled passenger services...
market, through the Stobart Pullman
Stobart Pullman
The Stobart Pullman was a railtour operator in the United Kingdom, operating pullman type charter trains, as Stobart Rail Tours. The company was a subsidiary of Eddie Stobart Ltd. and was operated by Stobart’s rail partner, Direct Rail Services...
, which was a rebranding of the Hertfordshire Rail Tours
Hertfordshire Rail Tours
Hertfordshire Rail Tours was a company that ran charter trains for enthusiasts, named as they were originally based in Hertfordshire. Most of its trains started from London Terminals, although most from London King's Cross. A fair proportion of charter trains used the "Pride of the Nation" dining...
business inherited from Victa Westlink Rail. Traction was provided by Direct Rail Services
Direct Rail Services
Direct Rail Services is a freight operating company created by British Nuclear Fuels Limited. The company started rail operations in 1995 using five heavily refurbished Class 20/3 diesel locomotives. Since then it has expanded greatly, and has acquired many more locomotives, most bought...
using Stobart branded carriages. It was launched in February 2008 but as of July 2008 the operation was suspended, presumed closed.
On 30 October 2009 Stobart Rail commenced a new train service (operated in conjunction with DB Schenker Rail (UK); it operates a 1,100 mile journey from Valencia, providing a low carbon alternative for the import of fresh Spanish produce, terminating at the Ford Dagenham rail head.
Stobart Rail operate the Southend Airport railway station
Southend Airport railway station
Southend Airport railway station is a railway station on the Shenfield to Southend line which opened on 18 July 2011, however the official opening ceremony was enacted by Minister for Transport Theresa Villiers MP on 21 September 2011...
which it opened on 18 July 2011.
Stobart Estates
Stobart Estates comprises the Stobart Group's portfolio of properties, including retail sites, light industrial buildings and distribution centres, office space and holdings which are owned or used in the Group's day to day business.If the Westbury Properties Ltd option is exercised, then that company will be integrated into this division.
The Head of this division is Richard Butcher, the Group Deputy CEO of the Stobart Group.
Stobart Infrastructure and Civils
Stobart Infrastructure and Civils (formerly Stobart Developments) incorporates the major engineering and redevelopment projects including road/rail freight distribution centres, ambient and chilled warehousing facilities, construction/refurbishment of rail stations, sidings and airport buildings, and including Stobart RailStobart Rail
Stobart Rail is a railway freight service operator in the United Kingdom. Stobart Rail now comes under the Stobart Transport and Distribution division of the Stobart Group, and carries intermodal freight for the group...
: Rail Infrastructure Engineering (originally W. A. Developments Ltd).
The Co-Heads of this division are Andy Bathgate and Kirk Taylor.
Stobart Air
Stobart Airports Ltd (trading as Stobart Air) comprises of Carlisle Lake District Airport and London Southend AirportLondon Southend Airport
London Southend Airport or Southend Airport is a regional airport in the district of Rochford within Essex, England.During the 1960s, Southend was the third-busiest airport in the United Kingdom. It remained London's third-busiest airport in terms of passengers handled until the end of the 1970s,...
. It also owns a convertible preference share in Aer Arann
Aer Arann
Aer Arann is a regional airline based in Dublin, Ireland. Aer Arann operates scheduled services from Ireland and the Isle of Man to destinations in Ireland, the United Kingdom, and France, with a fleet of 18 aircraft. Aer Arann has expanded from a single aircraft to Ireland's third largest airline...
.
The Head of this division is Alastair Welch.
Carlisle Lake District Airport
Stobart Group purchased the lease of Carlisle Lake District Airport in May 2009. It is operated by Stobart Air Ltd.London Southend Airport
Stobart Group purchased the lease of London Southend AirportLondon Southend Airport
London Southend Airport or Southend Airport is a regional airport in the district of Rochford within Essex, England.During the 1960s, Southend was the third-busiest airport in the United Kingdom. It remained London's third-busiest airport in terms of passengers handled until the end of the 1970s,...
in December 2008. It is operated by The London Southend Airport Company Ltd.
Aer Arann
Stobart Group also owns a convertible preference share in Aer ArannAer Arann
Aer Arann is a regional airline based in Dublin, Ireland. Aer Arann operates scheduled services from Ireland and the Isle of Man to destinations in Ireland, the United Kingdom, and France, with a fleet of 18 aircraft. Aer Arann has expanded from a single aircraft to Ireland's third largest airline...
, which was acquired in October 2010.
Stobart Biomass
Stobart Biomass transports sustainable wood products (primarily life-expired timber and low grade softwood) for use in low-carbon emission power plants, producing electricity at both large and small scale power plants, and including for export.It was formed in March 2010 when the Stobart Group purchased 50% of A. W. Jenkinson Biomass Ltd, which was then re-named as Stobart Biomass Products Ltd. The remaining 50% was bought in May 2011.
The Head of this division is Allan Jenkinson, the owner of A. W. Jenkinson Forest Products.
Stobart Members Club
The tradition of naming his lorry cabins with female names, combined with a very distinctive livery, has led members of the general public to "collect" sightings of Stobart lorries. This has occurred to the extent that a fan clubFan club
A fan club is a group that is dedicated to a well-known person, group, idea or sometimes even an inanimate object . Most fan clubs are run by fans who devote considerable time and resources to supporting them. There are also "official" fan clubs that are run by someone associated with the person...
was formed, eventually supported by the company which arranges depot tours and lorry rides, and sells model lorries etc. For a few years in the 1990s the company ran a fan club shop in Carlisle's city centre.
To help celebrate the 25th Anniversary of Eddie Stobart Ltd, the Somerset group The Wurzels
The Wurzels
The Wurzels are a British Scrumpy and Western band...
recorded a new song "I wanna be an Eddie Stobart Driver". The song graced the UK Top 100 in 1995. The original, together with a spoof called "I wanna join the Eddie Stobart fan club", are still available for download via iTunes
ITunes
iTunes is a media player computer program, used for playing, downloading, and organizing digital music and video files on desktop computers. It can also manage contents on iPod, iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad....
. There is also a range of Eddie Stobart toys available.
Stobart Fest
In 2011 The Stobart Group announced that they would be holding an event called Stobart Fest, The even was originally planned to be held at there Crick Depot, but a week before the event it was announced that it would be held in conjunction with the British Touring Car ChampionshipBritish Touring Car Championship
The British Touring Car Championship is a touring car racing series held each year in the United Kingdom. The Championship was established in 1958 as the British Saloon Car Championship and has run to various rules over the years – "production cars", then FIA Group 1 or 2 in the late 1960s...
on Saturday 17th September 2011 at Rockingham Motor Speedway
Rockingham Motor Speedway
Rockingham is the UK's most modern motorsport venue and Europe's fastest racing circuit, hosting corporate driving days, driver training, conferencing & exhibitions, vehicle manufacturing events, track days, testing, driving experiences and motorsport...
, they also annouced that filming will take place on the day for 3rd series of the Stobart Group TV show called Eddie Stobart Trucks, Trains and Planes. The show was previosuly called Eddie Stobart Trucks and Trailers.
Sponsorship
Since the takeover of Eddie Stobart by WA DevelopmentsWA Developments
W A Developments Holdings Ltd is the private investment holding company 73% owned by Andrew Tinkler, the Chief Executive Officer of the Stobart Group, and 27% owned by William Stobart, the Chief Operating Officer of the Stobart Group.-The original company:WA Developments was founded on 25 May 1993...
in 2004 and its subsequent listing on the London Stock Exchange
London Stock Exchange
The London Stock Exchange is a stock exchange located in the City of London within the United Kingdom. , the Exchange had a market capitalisation of US$3.7495 trillion, making it the fourth-largest stock exchange in the world by this measurement...
in 2007, Stobart has taken to a high profile sponsorship programme, including:
- Carlisle United FCCarlisle United F.C.Carlisle United F.C. is an English football club based in Carlisle, Cumbria, where they play at Brunton Park. Formed in 1904, the club currently compete in League One, the third tier of the English football league system....
- Shirt Sponsor - Widnes VikingsWidnes VikingsWidnes Vikings RLFC are an English professional rugby league club based in Widnes, Cheshire. They currently play in the Engage Super League, the top tier of European rugby league, after being awarded a license to compete in the top-flight Super League from 2012 onward...
Rugby LeagueRugby leagueRugby league football, usually called rugby league, is a full contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular grass field. One of the two codes of rugby football, it originated in England in 1895 by a split from Rugby Football Union over paying players...
- Main Sponsor- Stobart Stadium Halton, formerly Halton StadiumHalton StadiumThe Stobart Stadium Halton is a rugby league stadium in Widnes, England. The Widnes Vikings play their home games there as do Everton Reserves...
, the home of Widnes Vikings.
- Stobart Stadium Halton, formerly Halton Stadium
- Stobart VK M-Sport Ford World Rally ChampionshipWorld Rally ChampionshipThe World Rally Championship is a rallying series organised by the FIA, culminating with a champion driver and manufacturer. The driver's world championship and manufacturer's world championship are separate championships, but based on the same point system. The series currently consists of 13...
team - title sponsor - Manor House Stables LLPManor House StablesManor House Stables is a thoroughbred horse racing establishment situated in Cheshire, England from where racehorse trainer Tom Dascombe currently operates....
- Yard sponsor, home to racehorse trainer Tom Dascombe.
Sponsorship of the Professional Jockeys Association.
Bonuses
In May 2007 the Stobart Group was the subject of controversy when it reportedly offered bonuses to its Carlisle-based drivers to work in LivingstonLivingston, Scotland
Livingston is a town in West Lothian, Scotland. It is the fourth post-WWII new town to be built in Scotland, designated in 1962. It is about 15 miles west of Edinburgh and 30 miles east of Glasgow, and is bordered by the towns of Broxburn to the northeast and Bathgate to the northwest.Livingston...
in Scotland, to transport goods for Tesco
Tesco
Tesco plc is a global grocery and general merchandise retailer headquartered in Cheshunt, United Kingdom. It is the third-largest retailer in the world measured by revenues and the second-largest measured by profits...
who were in dispute with their distribution centre drivers and facing disruption to their supply chain. The Stobart drivers refused to cross the Livingston picket line.
Carlisle Lake District Airport
On 4 April 2008 controversy emerged surrounding the proposed developments to Carlisle Lake District Airport. In response to 63 apparently overly restrictive planning conditions placed on the development plans of Stobart Air, Andrew Tinkler apparently intended to move the Stobart haulage and warehousing operation out of Carlisle to Widnes, as a contingency 'plan B', asserting the redevelopment under the proposed condition would not be completed in time.By 8 April talks had proceeded, and centred on ten disputed points.
On 10 April it was announced that Andrew Tinkler and Carlisle City Council leader Mike Mitchelson shook hands on a revised list of conditions for the plan.
However the plans were called in by the Government and Andrew Tinkler withdrew the application.
Planning permission was granted in December 2008 for the Carlisle Lake District Airport expansion and other developments, including a resurfaced runway and new terminal, a major transport and distribution facility for Eddie Stobart Ltd, along with a joint headquarters building.
In January 2009, Stobart Group exercised its option to acquire Carlisle Lake District Airport from Stobart Air Holdings for £14 million (£1 million less than originally announced). Following an independent shareholder vote, the acquisition was completed in May 2009, and the purchase price was reduced to £9.9 million due to a fall in the value of Stobart Group shares.
On 19 May 2010 the Court of Appeal overturned the City Council's decision to grant planning permission due to an objection by a local farmer, a Mr Gordon Brown, on the grounds that a full environmental assessment had not been carried out before permission was considered. Eddie Stobart Ltd. expressed disappointment with the ruling and stated that, although they still retained a long-term commitment to Cumbria, in view of contractual obligations, they would now instead have to use facilities elsewhere.
In January 2011, Stobart Air submitted proposals to build a 394,000 sq ft Air Freight Distribution Centre on the site. Under the plans, Eddie Stobart would re-locate all its Carlisle depots to the airport, and there would be passenger flights to and from London Southend Airport
London Southend Airport
London Southend Airport or Southend Airport is a regional airport in the district of Rochford within Essex, England.During the 1960s, Southend was the third-busiest airport in the United Kingdom. It remained London's third-busiest airport in terms of passengers handled until the end of the 1970s,...
, operated by Aer Arann
Aer Arann
Aer Arann is a regional airline based in Dublin, Ireland. Aer Arann operates scheduled services from Ireland and the Isle of Man to destinations in Ireland, the United Kingdom, and France, with a fleet of 18 aircraft. Aer Arann has expanded from a single aircraft to Ireland's third largest airline...
, an airline partly owned by the Stobart Group through a convertible preference share acquired in October 2010.http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cumbria-12204299 Further details on jobs and flights were supplied in support of the application in July 2011http://www.in-cumbria.com/stobart-group-submits-extra-detail-for-carlisle-airport-revamp-plans-1.869873?referrerPath=home but a decision is not expected until late 2011.
In popular culture
- In series 2 of BBCBBCThe British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
sitcomSituation comedyA situation comedy, often shortened to sitcom, is a genre of comedy that features characters sharing the same common environment, such as a home or workplace, accompanied with jokes as part of the dialogue...
Gavin & StaceyGavin & StaceyGavin & Stacey is a British comedy television series. A romantic comedy-drama, the show follows the long-distance relationship of Gavin from Billericay in Essex, England, and Stacey from Barry in the Vale of Glamorgan, Wales. The writers of the show, actors James Corden and Ruth Jones, also...
Nessa Jenkins states that she was a driver for Eddie Stobart Ltd and that she knew Stobart himself very well. - In the last episode of Top Gear season 4, James May referred to a Volvo estate as the best transporter of Middle England which he likened to Eddie Stobart.
- Channel FiveChannel FiveChannel 5 is a television network that broadcasts in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1997, it was the fifth and final national terrestrial analogue network to launch. The station was branded as Five between 2002 and 2010...
in 2010 ran a series on Eddie Stobart business covering all the various elements of the business, called Eddie Stobart: Trucks & TrailersEddie Stobart: Trucks & TrailersEddie Stobart: Trucks & Trailers is a documentary television programme series made by Princess Productions for Channel 5 and broadcast on Channel 5 .-About the show:...
, and a second series was run from May 2011.