Greenhous grows operations

WAL Cars operates five motor franchises, including Volvo and Nissan, from sites in Shrewsbury and Telford. It is a long standing business and can trace its roots back to 1945, having been owned and run successfully as a family business by the Lewis and Marshall families for over 55 years. WAL Cars has annual sales of approximately £40m and employs 160 staff. The acquisition adds critical mass to Greenhous’ franchised operation in the Shropshire area as well as opening up new fleet vehicle opportunities.

Andy Haigh, Assistant Director, led the transaction for BHP Corporate Finance with partner support from Hamish Morrison. Funding for the transaction was provided by GMAC.

Commenting on the deal Andy Haigh said, ‘We are very pleased to have worked with the directors of Greenhous Group, assisting them to complete this significant acquisition. There is a strong strategic rationale for this deal and I am certain that the business will go from strength to strength under the ownership of Greenhous. The motor retail sector has experienced a tough time through the extended period of soft economic conditions, however demand from consumers has now begun to pick up. We expect to see more M&A opportunities in this sector in the near future.”