Dinnington-based Direct Track Solutions Ltd has been acquired by Swiss company Schwihag AG.
The Yorkshire company was created in 2002 by Martin and Melanie Southwell to focus on competitive supply chain solutions for the railway industry. Having significantly grown the business, Martin and Melanie were looking for a partner who could continue this success.
Melanie Southwell said: “Having worked for 22 years building a successful business, we agreed that the time was now right to look for a buyer that could take the business to the next level. Schwihag AG a global supplier of quality railway track products ticked all the boxes. Schwihag AG is the perfect fit, enhancing the DTS brand and creating greater opportunities for all the staff .We are both delighted that the future of DTS is in good hands and we are confident that the business will go from strength to strength.
“Throughout the whole process we had full confidence in both Andy Ryder and Adam Ames at Shorts, along with Matt Ainsworth of Shakespeare Martineau that the lengthy transaction would be completed to the highest standard whilst at the same time meeting our expectations.”
Andy Ryder, Corporate Finance Partner at Shorts added: “We have helped complete this transaction for Martin and Melanie, and it has been a pleasure to work with them on this international transaction. We look forward to hearing of Direct Track’s continuing success under Schwihag’s ownership.
Matt Ainsworth, Corporate Partner at Shakespeare Martineau said: “Direct Track is yet another high quality local business which has attracted overseas inward investment into the region. We wish the business all the success for the future.”
Schwihag, founded in 1971 in Tägerwilen in Switzerland, has over 50 years’ experience in the rail sector and is a long-standing supplier of trackwork components and fastening systems globally. Direct Track Solutions Ltd will continue to trade under the DTS Brand, with the company structure and personnel remaining unchanged.
The acquisition of DTS last month supplements Schwihag’s manufacturing facilities in Doncaster; Leipzig, Germany and Grandview Missouri, USA, alongside its additional regional offices in Valencia, Spain and New Delhi, India. The acquisition, for an undisclosed sum, is seen as a strategic addition to Schwihag’s UK portfolio, increasing the range of products and services offered to the market.
