CitySprint extends network with acquisition of Letchworth Couriers

CitySprint has announced that it has acquired Letchworth Couriers, in the biggest deal for CitySprint since its acquisition of Lewis Day in 2011.

The acquisition of this group of businesses is part of CitySprint’s UK expansion drive and will see CitySprint gain an additional two service centres, in Letchworth and Peterborough, taking the total number of service centres to 39.

Letchworth Couriers, run by Directors Steve Ketteridge, Dave Northfield and Ian Mailer, incorporates Ketts Couriers, which will also be transitioning to CitySprint as part of the acquisition.

This deal will give Letchworth Couriers’ customers access to CitySprint’s network which can reach 87% of the UK mainland population in under an hour.

They will also be able to take advantage of CitySprint’s leading technology, allowing them to track their parcels in real-time both on desktop and from the palm of their hand via the same-day courier app, MyCourier.

Patrick Gallagher, chief executive of CitySprint, said: “This deal with Letchworth Couriers is part of our long-term growth strategy and allows us to enhance our service to customers in the local area with the addition of two new service centres.

“We’ll be working hard over the next few months to ensure a seamless integration of services.”

Steve Ketteridge, one of the Directors of Letchworth Couriers, added: “We are delighted to join our services with CitySprint.

“We’ve worked hard to develop a strong customer base in the local area over the past 25 years, who will benefit not only from CitySprint’s reach, but also their focus on providing excellent customer service.”

As part of the acquisition all employees will transfer to CitySprint, and the local contact details will remain the same.

In a separate deal, CitySprint has also acquired Birmingham based Sky Blue Couriers, which provides aircraft on the ground services, delivering time-critical maintenance parts in to and out of all UK airports.

This acquisition, which has been fully integrated into the business, adds to CitySprint’s existing portfolio of services and gives Sky Blue’s customers access to CitySprint’s network of over 2,500 couriers, 24/7.

The founder of Sky Blue Couriers, Steve Burton, transferred to CitySprint as part of this deal.

In total, CitySprint has completed three acquisitions this year as part of their growth strategy and in recognition of their success, recently picked up two business awards – EY Entrepreneur of the Year, Business Services - London and South East, and the M&A Dealmaker of the Year.

“We’ve had a great start to the year, and to be formally recognised by two awards for the hard work and dedication of the team is a testament to the strength of the business,” added Gallagher.