Woodland Group acquires 50% of Worldwide Book Services

Supply chain specialist Woodland Group has acquired 50% of logistics company Worldwide Book Services (WBS).

The companies said the move "marks the combined forces becoming the strongest supply chain suppliers to the media and publishing industry across the globe". They will bring together their resources across warehousing and fulfilment, customs, air, ocean and European road freight capabilities.

Woodland Group and WBS have worked closely together for more than 10 years. Woodland was recently offered the opportunity to buy out WBS director Simon Taylor and acquire half the business. Managing director David Burnham remains a 50% shareholder and will partner with Woodland Group to "develop and grow opportunities through their shared network, global coverage, and client database".

He said: “Our vision is to combine the specialist skills and experience of Worldwide Book Services with the strength and quality of Woodland Group to become the ultimate leader in delivering international media logistics. Thanks to the involvement of Woodland Group, we now have the ideal combination of skills, experience, and resources to bring a new standard of service to booksellers, publishers, printers and the wider industry."

Woodland Group recently invested into dedicated customs teams across the US and EU. It said this will allow the company to "meet the growing demand for personalised supply chain management solutions post-Brexit".

WBS’ 50,000 sq ft distribution centre in Wickford, Essex, will be added to Woodland Group’s existing fulfilment locations, which will now total more than one million sq ft. 

Kevin Stevens, chairman and c.e.o. of the Woodland Group, added: “WBS and Woodland Group are a great fit. We look forward to jointly furthering our purpose of creating opportunity for our teams, clients, partners and suppliers whilst focusing on delivering sustainable supply chains into the future.”