Future, the Bath-based publisher, has sold Trucking, Britain’s leading road transport magazine, and the Truckstop News monthly newspaper, to Kelsey Publishing, where they joins a portfolio that spans motoring, rural and lifestyle titles.
Future described the titles as non-core as it continues a move to developing digital products and exploiting overseas growth opportunities.
Kelsey Publishing is paying up to £1.1m for the titles – £1m cash at completion with £100,000 deferred subject to the financial performance over the next year.
Future chief executive Mark Wood said: “Trucking and Truckstop News are successful and popular titles, but as we focus increasingly on our digital and global growth strategies they are no longer core to Future’s operations. Kelsey is an ideal new home for these specialist magazines and they will flourish there. I would like to thank the Trucking team for all their hard work and superb commitment, and wish them all the best in the future.”
Trucking has a mix of news, features, commentary and truck road tests. Many of its writers and photographers are professional truck drivers.
Truckstop News is the free monthly national newspaper for truckers.
Wright, managing director of Kelsey Publishing, whose motoring titles include Classic Car Buyer, 4×4, Jaguar World Monthly and Total BMW, said: “We are delighted to announce that Kelsey has acquired Trucking and Truckstop News. We recognise the strength and potential for these brands within our business. Both titles fit naturally within our portfolio of transport magazines.”
