The deal included Yearsley Food, the logistics company’s national frozen food supplier arm that supports customers across retail, foodservice, food manufacturing and export channels.
Commenting on the sale, Lineage president and chief executive Greg Lehmkuhl said: “Yearsley has demonstrated a strong commitment to developing longstanding, bespoke customer relationships that is consistent with how we do business at Lineage.
“Bringing Yearsley into the Lineage family enables us to better serve customers in the UK market and further reinforces our international logistics capabilities.”
‘Tremendous opportunity’
Yearsley chief executive Jonathon Baker described the deal as a “tremendous opportunity” for both the logistics firm’s customers and employees.
“Lineage’s commitment to innovation and service is unmatched and we are excited to strengthen our ability to partner and grow with customers on a global scale unlike ever before,” said Baker.
Operating since the 1950s, Yearsley operates a network of 12 cold storage sites across the UK, served by more than 300 vehicles. This is complemented by value-added transportation services, following a similar model to Lineage’s US-based operations.
Lehmkuhl added: “We see tremendous alignment between our two organisations, not only in our capabilities to diligently serve customers’ extended supply chains, but also in our dedication to supporting a values-based culture that empowers our growing international workforce.
‘Highest-calibre team’
“Together, we are unquestionably the highest-calibre team in the cold storage space and we are best positioned to creatively solve our customers’ most complex logistics needs."
Meanwhile, earlier this month, temperature controlled storage and distribution firm The Ice Co Storage & Logistics announced ambitious investment plans to help improve capacity.
The business recently invested more than £1m to improve the warehouse plant, blast freezers and automated racking to increase storage capacity at its head office site in South Kirkby, West Yorkshire. There has also been investment in its logistics fleet, with 16 new Scania vehicles.
The Ice Co was also named Frozen Food Manufacturing Company of the Year at this year’s Food Manufacture Excellence Awards, held last week at the Hilton on Park Lane in London. See all the winners, including Food Manufacture Company of the Year, here.
