Family firm John Good Group has snapped up a prominent shipping services provider that has operated in the ports of Grimsby and Immingham since 1936.
The Hull based group’s maritime division – DAN Shipping & Chartering Ltd – has acquired Arthur Smith (Grimsby) Ltd, a deal which it said marks a pivotal expansion and a strategic move into the offshore sector. Arthur Smith, under the leadership of David and James Smith, will be integrated into the operations of the maritime division, alongside DAN Shipping & Bay Shipping.
David Smith said: “Joining with DAN Shipping opens a new chapter for us. It’s an opportunity to blend our expertise in offshore and renewables work with DAN Shipping’s longstanding reputation for service and John Good’s significant backing and areas of expertise in marketing, finance and HR.”
The maritime business consists of DAN Shipping and Bay Shipping, which are both independent port agents in the UK. Bay Shipping was established in Wales in 1992 while DAN Shipping was launched in Hull in 1987. Combined, the division offers port agency and chartering services nationwide, handling over 10m tonnes of cargo each year and working with a range of clients.
Adam Walsh, chief executive at John Good Group, added: “This acquisition brings expansion in our maritime division both in the quality of people and business, but also a strategic move to enter the offshore and renewables markets.
“Welcoming five new team members from Arthur Smith, we’re not just growing in numbers but also in our capabilities and reach. I’m really pleased for Steve Pullen, Paul Haste, Mark Mullins, Kevin Parker who worked on the deal, and the wider team at DAN Shipping, for getting this one over the line.
“It’s also a bonus for the group, because we know how special family businesses are, and the completion of this process sees us welcome a fifth-generation business into our sixth-generation family business. Family businesses, with all the heritage and values that go with them, are things to be cherished and I’m delighted to be welcoming the Smiths into our business and look forward to working with them to build a business for the future.”
Hessle-based John Good Group, now run by the sixth generation of directors, has operated since 1833 and recently announced a move into new headquarters. The firm is building its new base, Quarry House, on Hesslewood Office Park, close to its current Bridgehead Business Park base.
Original artice – https://business-live.co.uk/all-about/yorkshire-humber