5 December 2011

Selwyns acquires Haytons Executive Travel

Haytons Executive Travel Limited, a well established coach company from Manchester was this month taken over by the larger Selwyn Group which is also based in the North West.

The Haytons business has recently experienced financial difficulties and as a result was faced with the prospect of having to cease trading. On discovering this was the case, Selwyns approached the directors of the company, and agreed with them and the administrator, to acquire the business and assets of the Haytons business.

This move now ensures a positive future for Haytons, a future built on a much stronger financial platform as part of the Selwyns group. In addition it signals ambitious plans for Sewlyns who intend to increase turnover by 50 per cent during the next 12 months.

Paul Stanley from Begbies Traynor who conducted the sale as Adminstrator of Haytons said:

“We have been able to save 70 jobs and sell the business as a going concern to another quality operator. The major issue here was the acceptability of potential purchasers to the two largest customers. Sensible negotiations between all parties have enabled a sale which will involve no disruption to services and no worry for passengers.”

The deal sees Selwyns take on nearly 70 staff including the existing managing director Barry Hayton, his management team, drivers and engineers, as well as the fleet of 25 coaches.
The existing Haytons Manchester depot will remain as the main operations centre to be controlled as a separate division of Selwyns.

Selwyns has been established for over 40 years and operates private hire coaches and buses providing contract services to many local authorities and blue-chip clients including National Express, Barclays and Emirates.

Selwyn Jones, managing director of Selwyns, said:

“It was clear from the outset that Selwyns and Haytons had good synergies and the takeover has followed a smooth transition process. From a client point of view, all business will operate as usual so there will be consistency and no disruption to service. I’ve always respected Haytons, and it’s fantastic to have the Haytons name along with Barry and the team at Gorton in our armoury.

“Although it’s been a tough climate for the past couple of years, our strong base has enabled us to grow and take advantage of opportunities the competition has been unable to fulfil. I’ve got my eye on some interesting deals and new markets to enter over the next 12 months and we are all excited by the possibilities for the business.”

Corporate finance partner at HURST Nigel Barratt advised on the deal. He said:

“The acquisition is a strategic move by Selwyns to grow the business and together we’ll be actively looking at further opportunities in the New Year. The deal gives Selwyns two operational platforms to grow from, in Liverpool and Manchester, allowing it to cover the entire region. Selwyns is an example of an ambitious, well established North West business that HURST is proud to be associated with.”

The acquisition brings the total staff count of the group to 250 people working across four operating centres at, Runcorn, Manchester, Manchester Airport and St Helens.

The business was founded in 1968 by the late Robert Alun Jones, father of Selwyn Jones. In 1979 it acquired Yates Tours and in 1984 opened a base at Manchester Airport. It went on to acquire Starline Travel in 1996 and Hardings Tours of Liverpool in 2006.