Recruitment agency Bristol Drivers Solutions (BDS) has been acquired by gap personnel – one of the UK’s 10 largest industrial labour providers.
Keynsham-based BDS supplies LGV drivers to the transport industry has been acquired. The firm, which earned revenues of £1.5m last year, will become part of gap personnel’s specialist driving division, Driving Force.
Following the acquisition, financial details of which have not been divulged, gap expects to push through the £100m turnover barrier by 2015.
The newly-merged firm will be known as BDS Driving Force. BDS directors Justine Buxton and Mandy Parker will remain on board for the foreseeable future.
Justine said: “We are excited to become part of the gap personnel group. The creation of BDS Driving Force will result in additional work opportunities for our drivers, and enable us to take our operation to the next level.”
Gap finance director Andy Gunson added: “BDS is one of the South West’s most-respected and well-established specialist driving agencies.
“The company has an excellent client base and a solid track record.
“This exciting acquisition bolsters Driving Force’s presence in the South West, and underlines our determination as a group to grow despite the challenging economic conditions.
“We have a strong pipeline of other potential targets, and hope to complete at least one other acquisition during 2013.”
Privately-owned gap personnel was founded in Wrexham in 1997. It turned over a record £72m last year.
Driving Force supplies drivers to more than 100 clients a day from sites in Bristol, Gloucester, Exeter, Hatfield, Ellesmere Port, Altrincham, Wakefield, Northampton and Stoke-on-Trent.
Pictured: Justine Buxton of Bristol Drivers Solutions (BDS) with John Sutcliffe, UK operations manager at Driving Force
