Ewals emerges as buyer for Acumen

Dutch based road haulier and logistics specialist Ewals has been revealed as the buyer for Acumen, the automotive parts and distribution business of Autologic. Since Autologic’s management revealed in its annual results that it was seeking to dispose of the loss making subsidiary there has been intense speculation over who would eventually acquire it. It was even considered that the division might be partly shut down. AutoLogic stated at the time that it considered the Acumen business as non-core to its finished vehicle distribution business.

In total 49 employees will be transferred from Acumen to Ewals to ensure the continuation of operations at its offices in Belgium, France and the UK. The trailers from the Acumen fleet will also be transferred to Ewals taking its total fleet to 4,300 from 3,500. In 2003, Acumen’s revenues reached £33.9m (€50.1m) a 10% rise on the year before. However its losses almost tripled from £0.5m (€0.75m) to £1.4m (€2.1m). It is also likely that a separate buyer will come forward for Acumen’s critical parts business which is not believed to be included in the sale to Ewals.

For the time being Ewals will keep Acumen as a standalone subsidiary. However over time it intends to integrate the operation into its own network. The increased traffic flows will considerably increase its market position, especially in the cross-channel routes between France and the UK.