The Jersey Post Group is to acquire Jersey freight and delivery company Woodside Logistics.
The group says the acquisition will help it provide an end-to-end service encompassing marketplace e-commerce platforms, final-mile delivery services and international imports and exports for local businesses and residents.
Woodside Logistics was established in 2015 in response to challenges transporting goods from the Channel Islands to the UK and Europe, and the high cost of inter-island transport.
In addition to its Jersey headquarters, the company has warehousing and shipping depots in Guernsey and the UK and logistics experience across a range of sectors for commercial and domestic customers.
Jersey Post strategy
In 2015, the Jersey Post Group embarked on an international strategy to help it address the long-term decline in domestic mail volumes and exploit opportunities outside the local market.
This has resulted in the acquisition of, or investment in, supply chain partners that allows Jersey Post to offer an end-to-end logistics solution to a larger customer base.
The acquisition of Woodside Logistics completes this by providing UK warehousing and a freight and shipping service between the UK and Channel Islands.
Jersey Post Group Chief Executive Tim Brown (pictured) commented: “Covid-19 has greatly accelerated the continued decline in our traditional letter mail – we are now seeing around 20% less volume.
“However, it has also highlighted new strategic opportunities, most notably in the movement of goods and merchandise in and out of the island, which will help to underpin our core operation and provide longer-term sustainability for this service.
"While the proposed acquisition enables us to provide an end-to-end logistics solution for customers across the globe, it will also bring increased competition, greater choice and an enhanced freight service for our local customers.”
The acquisition is expected to complete at the end of February and involve no redundancies.