Lynx Express (parcels)

For the train of New Zealand, see Lynx Express.
Lynx Express
IndustryCourier service
Founded1955
Defunct2005
FateAcquired by UPS
SuccessorUPS
HeadquartersNuneaton, England
Key people
David Burtenshaw (Chief Executive)
Number of employees
3,500

Lynx Express (stylised as Lynx Express) was a courier (parcel delivery) company operating principally in the United Kingdom. It was acquired in July 2005 by UPS.[1]

History

The company's history dates back to the nationalisation of the British Railways after World War II. Each of the pre-nationalisation companies had formed a local delivery network, based on lorries and vans, to extend the railway to customers' doors, thus enabling parcels and light freight to be delivered in the control of the railway company. In 1955, these services were amalgamated to form a division of British Road Services, known as BRS Parcels.[2] Those amalgamated companies handling rail transport became known as National Carriers, while BRS Parcels became Roadline.

In 1982, the Conservative Government led by Margaret Thatcher privatised these services, making shares in the newly formed National Freight Corporation available to employees at a price that proved to undervalue the company when they were floated on the stock market. Two businesses, National Carriers and Roadline, subsequently merged and operated briefly under the name National Carriers Roadline before becoming Lynx Express Delivery Network. This remained the company's full title, although it was shortened in practice. Following a reorganisation, rationalisation of core business interests and rebranding exercise, National Freight Corporation, by this time shortened to NFC plc, merged with Ocean Group plc and became known as Exel, and Lynx Express was seen as outside its main area of concentration.

In 1997, Lynx Express Delivery Network was the subject of a management buyout from Exel and subsequently renamed Lynx Express.[2] Lynx Express became majority owned by Bridgepoint Capital.[2] The company acquired British Rail’s remaining local delivery asset, Red Star Parcels, in January 1999.[3][4]

In 2005, Lynx Express was acquired by UPS for £55.5 million (US$97.1 million).[5] At the time, Lynx Express was one of the largest parcel carriers in the UK, with sales of $295 million (£170 million) for the financial year ending 2 October 2004.[6] The company was subsequently integrated into UPS, and the Lynx brand disappeared.

References

  1. ^ "UPS to Acquire U.K. Firm Lynx Express For $96.5 Mln". ttnews.com. 25 July 2005. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
  2. ^ a b c "Gordon Mustoe, BRS Parcels Services and The Express Carriers". 6 October 2011. Archived from the original on 6 October 2011. Retrieved 22 February 2009.
  3. ^ "Lynx Express acquires Red Star". www.cwn.org.uk. 5 January 1999. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
  4. ^ "Red Star sold". The Railway Magazine. No. 1175. March 1999. p. 10.
  5. ^ "Bridgepoint sells Lynx Express". buyoutsinsider.com. 1 July 2005. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
  6. ^ "UPS to acquire LYNX Express". Atlanta Business Chronicle. 25 July 2005. Retrieved 31 December 2020.