Wilsons expands operations with latest acquisition

The acquisition of the family-run business, which is the result of retirement, brings the total number of sites for Northern Ireland-based Wilsons Auctions to seventeen including nine branches and logistic and storage locations across the UK and Ireland and will strengthen its offering into the south Wales and south west region of England.

The Newport site has been in business for 35 years and has grown to become one of the largest independent auction houses in Wales, selling approximately 20,000 used vehicles annually.

The acquisition will see the 30-strong workforce transition to Wilsons Auctions along with its weekly car and general goods auctions.

Formed in 1936, Wilsons is a family owned business and the acquisition of Newport will help to expand the firm’s presence across Wales along with its Queensferry branch in the north.

The company also has branches in Belfast and Portadown in Northern Ireland, Dalry in Scotland, Dublin and Telford, Newcastle and Maidstone in England.

“We are thrilled to announce we are adding another branch to Wilsons Auctions’ expanding map with the purchase of Newport Auctions,” said group operations director Peter Johnston.

“We felt it was a great opportunity to acquire this already established family business allowing us to expand our offering into the South Wales region and strengthening our position as the leading independent auction company within the British Isles.

“As a result of our law enforcement contracts, especially around the wider region of South Wales and the South West region of England, the Newport location, premises and staff will be in an excellent position to strengthen our current offering.

As a result of our growth plans, we are confident there will be further expansion for the branch with additional auctions taking place and ultimately leading to further job opportunities,” he added.

The purchase of the Newport site comes ten years after Wilsons Auctions first expanded its business into Wales with the acquisition of Queensferry. Since then the company has seen considerable growth within its business adding Newcastle and Maidstone to its portfolio in February 2016.