As the Booth’s Group of companies, comprising of Booth’s Transport, Tomoana Warehousing and The Produce Connection, continue to grow, so does our commitment to providing an increased level of service geographically for customers.

After months of conversation, we are pleased to announce that Summerland Express Freight has been acquired by Booth’s Group Logistics in conjunction with Brendan Prendergast (founder and former owner of MOVE Logistics).

Summerland founders Ross and Barbara Millard will be stepping down after close to 30 years at the helm from June 2022. With a fleet of 100 trucks and employing 150 staff across 10 locations, the major South Island logistics operator will be joining the Booth’s Group of companies, rounding out the Booth’s geographic spread and providing its customers with a more seamless network nationwide.

Booth’s is still very much family owned and operated and has been growing steadily since the early 1990s with it currently consisting of Booth’s Transport Ltd, Tomoana Warehousing Ltd and The Produce Connection Ltd. Collectively these businesses provide services including linehaul transport, metro delivery, produce cartage, container handling, hiab delivery and a range of warehousing, storage and pick and pack services.

Group CEO Dallas Vince says the company’s growth trajectory has been the result of customer demand for Booth’s to have an increased presence nationally. “Our customers want us to simplify their supply chain with one point of contact for all their transport, logistics and warehousing needs,” he says.

Under the new Booth’s Group ownership, Dallas believes “All Summerland stakeholders will benefit hugely from increased resources including new fleet vehicles that are on the way, additional technology platforms, access to a broader network geographically and a wider range of service offerings. All of the Summerland team will be offered new employment contracts and we expect the shared family values and business synergies between Booth’s Group and Summerland to make for an easy transition for all our team, suppliers and customers”.

Alongside expanding our geographic reach, a key focus for Booth’s Group over recent years has been to operate a modern, safe and fuel-efficient fleet. Dallas says, “The Booth’s business model is based on a modern fleet with a current average fleet age of 38 months. We are proud to have one of the lowest average fleet ages in New Zealand, and it’s our intention to apply this same model to the Summerland business in the short to medium term”.

Regarding the Millard’s retirement from Summerland, Dallas would like to add, “On behalf of the Booth’s Group family, we would like to acknowledge and thank Ross and Barbara for their commitment, dedication and service to the logistics industry. We wish them all the best in their retirement and trust they will enjoy some well-earnt down time”.

https://www.nztrucking.co.nz/booths-group-acquires-summerland-express-freight/

https://www.nztruckanddriver.co.nz/nztd-news/booth-s-group-logistics-expands-into-south-island-with-acquisition-of-summerland-express-freight

https://transporttalk.co.nz/news/booths-expands-into-south-island-with-summerland-deal

7th June 2022

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