Haulage and warehouse firm Willmotts Transport has secured multi-million pound funding from NatWest to almost double its warehouse capacity.
The firm, which was founded in 1918 and today specialises in the fast-moving consumer goods market, has more than 100 vehicles in its fleet and 150-plus staff providing storage and distribution services to a range of blue-chip companies locally, nationally and internationally.
Its new 125,000 sq ft base in Midsomer Norton brings Willmotts Transport’s total warehouse capacity to more than 400,000 sq ft as it looks to capitalise on the strong demand for supply chain logistics.
The Shepton Mallet-headquartered business has achieved consistent year-on-year growth and it is emerging from the pandemic in a strong position, having provided support for the food and drinks industry during the lockdowns.
The Midsomer Norton warehouse, pictured, takes its sites to seven across Somerset. It also allows it to consolidate customers’ stock more centrally while reducing its reliance on smaller, rented satellite operations.
Willmotts Transport managing director Andy Stott said: “This acquisition comes at a period of strong growth for us.
“We were fortunate in that we could continue operating during the various Covid-19 lockdowns and we saw strong demand from our customers within the supply chain.
“This funding from NatWest has allowed us to capitalise on that demand, almost doubling our capacity with these new premises.”
The deal was managed by NatWest relationship director Michael Mills and RBS Invoice Finance relationship manager Ian Hussey.
Michael said: “We’ve supported Willmotts Transport for many years and it’s been great to see them continue to find new avenues for growth.
“These new premises gives them scope to continue to build on that success while also consolidating the number of leased satellite sites they have across their portfolio.”
