Scruttons (NI) Limited, which was acquired by Denholm Logistics, a division of family-owned business, J. & J. Denholm, in 2012, is pleased to announce the acquisition of the Belfast specialist steel stevedoring business, William Reid Limited. The addition of William Reid emphasises the continued commitment Denholm Logistics Group has towards investing in Belfast and the island of Ireland.
Based at Belfast Harbour, William Reid, formed in 1930, provides stevedoring, port agency, short sea brokering and logistics services. Through continued investment in equipment and infrastructure, not only is William Reid one of the leading stevedoring operations in Northern Ireland, it has also developed specialist quayside steel handling facilities that are unique on the island of Ireland. The skills and expertise of William Reid complement Scruttons, which provides stevedoring of bulk cargoes and container handling at the Port of Belfast and Dublin Freight Terminal.
Scruttons Managing Director, Robert Allen, said, “The acquisition of William Reid is a natural fit for Scruttons. The relationships that William Reid has fostered with its customers and stakeholders, including Belfast Harbour Commission, are based on the quality of its services and its specialist steel handling expertise. By combining our capabilities with our shared ethos of long-term investment, and integrating our positive approach to health and safety, we are able to ensure the longevity of the William Reid operations.”
William Reid Managing Director, Tony Cromie, who continues as a Director of the larger and merged business, commented, “The acquisition by Scruttons marks the next phase of the William Reid business. I am proud of William Reid’s history, which began as a family company and has built its reputation by serving our customers at Belfast Harbour and throughout Ireland. Now that Scruttons and William Reid have come together, I am confident of the continued long-term investment in our services, including our specialist steel handling operations. Crucially for me, the continued robust operating standards of Scruttons and William Reid and our joint commitment to health and safety were decisive.”
The acquisition of William Reid Limited was completed by Scruttons (NI) Limited on 31st July 2021. Scruttons is part of Denholm Logistics Group, one of the four divisions of diversified family-owned business The Denholm Group.