EV Cargo has announced a strategic decision to focus on global forwarding and related logistics services as the core of its future growth, building on more than 60 years of heritage dating back to Allport’s founding in 1963.
From its origins, EV Cargo Global Forwarding has been dedicated to managing supply chains for the world’s leading brands, evolving from UK retail imports into complex, time-critical and specialist solutions across multiple sectors and geographies. Under EmergeVest leadership since 2013, the forwarding business has grown from a primarily UK-focused operation into a global platform serving customers across Europe, Asia and the Middle East.
Today, EV Cargo Global Forwarding handles approximately 350,000 TEUs of ocean freight and more than 100,000 tonnes of air freight annually, supported by a strong road freight offering across the UK and continental Europe that connects ports, airports and regional hubs into integrated door-to-door solutions. The business employs around 1,300 people, with approximately 42% based in Europe, 33% in the UK and 25% in Asia. EV Cargo has subsidiaries in 21 countries, minority shareholdings in 5 additional countries, and a global partner network that enables trade on all major lanes.
Since EV Cargo’s creation in 2018, its diversified portfolio – combining global forwarding, domestic UK transport, palletised distribution and technology – has supported strong growth and resilience. The company is now entering a phase of greater strategic focus. Concentrating on global forwarding and related services will enable EV Cargo to deliver greater value for customers, accelerate the adoption of AI and technology, create clearer opportunities for its people, and generate stronger, more sustainable returns for shareholders through an asset-light model. This direction is firmly anchored in EV Cargo’s mission to manage supply chains for the world’s leading brands, its core values of growth, innovation and sustainability, and its purpose of powering the global economy by enabling trade.
As a direct consequence of this strategy, EV Cargo has decided to divest its Solutions division. The Solutions business will be sold to WS Holdco, a UK-focused transport and logistics platform led by William Stobart with backing from DBAY Advisors, significantly strengthening WS Holdco’s UK transport and logistics offering.
EV Cargo believes that Solutions, its people and its customers will benefit from being part of a group whose core strategy is UK-based transport and logistics, with focused capital for fleet, depot and domestic investment.
The terms of the transaction are not being disclosed. Following the sale, EV Cargo will have a stronger balance sheet, with reduced debt and an increased ability to invest in its core focus on global forwarding, technology and targeted growth initiatives.
“From Allport’s founding in 1963 to the creation of EV Cargo, our journey has always been about helping customers move goods across borders safely, efficiently and reliably,” said Heath Zarin, Founder and Executive Chairman of EV Cargo.
“Diversification helped us build scale, resilience and capability. Now, increased focus will help us unlock the full potential of our global forwarding network. We are profoundly grateful to our Solutions colleagues and customers for everything we have built together, and we are confident they will continue to succeed as part of WS Holdco.
“With a focused strategy, a global forwarding platform handling 350,000 TEUs of ocean freight and over 100,000 tonnes of air freight, an international footprint across 21 countries, and a clear sense of mission, values and purpose, we are extremely excited about EV Cargo’s future and the role we will play as a trusted global forwarding partner for years to come.”
An investment vehicle led by logistics specialist William Stobart has acquired the UK managed transportation and contract logistics division of Midlands transport business, EV Cargo Solutions and Distribution, for an undisclosed sum.
Knutsford-based WS Holdco said the transaction represents a significant milestone in its strategic growth journey and further strengthens its position as a leading provider of fully integrated logistics solutions.
The acquisition enhances the group’s scale, capabilities and customer reach, while accelerating its growth trajectory across key markets.
Following completion of the transaction the business will begin a rebranding programme.
The combined group is expected to generate annual revenues of well over £300m.
EV Cargo Solutions is based in Ashby-De-La-Zouch in Leicestershire and brings a portfolio of long standing contracts with blue chip customers in multiple sectors, operating across road logistics, warehousing and fulfilment.
The business will complement and strengthen the group’s existing platform, which includes The Alternative Parcels Company – the UK’s largest independent parcel delivery network – William Stobart & Son – transport, warehousing and fulfilment – WS Digital Freight – road forwarding – and WS People Providers – agency supplier.
By combining operational expertise, digital capability and an expanded customer base, the enlarged group said it is well positioned to unlock new cross-selling opportunities, drive operational efficiencies and accelerate organic growth.
The transaction reinforces WS Holdco’s ambition to build a scaled, technology-enabled logistics platform with national reach and long-term customer partnerships, it said.
A spokesperson welcomed the new addition, saying:
“Their experience, expertise and strong customer relationships will play an important role in supporting the continued success and accelerated growth of the combined business.”
It is believed that the divested business incorporates the old Downton, NFT, Jigsaw and EV Cargo Solutions businesses, but not Palletforce or Allport (forwarding)
