Client: Ningbo Walking Floors
Sector: Specialist Haulage – Walking Floor Transport
Location: Wrexham, UK
Transaction Type: Business Sale to UK Trade Buyer
Corporate Finance Advisor: Logros Advisory Partners
Legal Advisor: Forbes Solicitors (David Filmer)
Overview
Ningbo Walking Floors, a fast-growing specialist haulage provider based in Wrexham, has been successfully acquired by Barnes Logistics, the Greater Manchester–based haulage group. This transaction enables Ningbo to continue its rapid scaling trajectory under a well-resourced national operator while providing a clean exit for its founder and sole shareholder, Chris Stockton.
The business will form a newly created Environmental Division within Barnes Logistics, integrating Ningbo’s hydraulically powered walking floor fleet into a group with over 120 vehicles across multiple UK sites.
Logros Advisory Partners acted as the exclusive corporate finance advisor, supporting the business sale process from preparation to completion. The deal demonstrates Logros’s expertise in advising founder-led businesses within the transport and logistics sector, ensuring strong outcomes in both financial value and legacy protection.
The Challenge
Chris Stockton had built Ningbo Walking Floors from the ground up, developing a specialist capability within the haulage market and scaling quickly to service customers across the waste, recycling, and environmental industries. Despite fast growth and strong operational performance, the business required a structured, strategic sale process to:
- Protect the team and maintain continuity for customers
- Preserve the service delivery and specialist capability Chris had created
- Secure a streamlined, low-disruption transaction for the business and workforce
As a founder-led business, Ningbo needed an advisor experienced in business sales, exit planning, and trade buyer negotiation, with the ability to manage sensitivities and support a sole shareholder through a potentially stressful transaction.
Our Corporate Finance Approach
Led by Brian Higgins, Managing Partner, Logros Advisory Partners delivered a hands-on, partner-led advisory process from start to finish.
1. Preparation & Strategic Positioning
Logros prepared the business for sale by:
- Understanding the unique value drivers of a walking floors specialist
- Positioning the business to attract both regional and national hauliers
- Presenting the fleet, team structure, contracts, and commercial strengths clearly and professionally
- Ensuring the business was ready for buyer scrutiny
This preparation phase ensured Ningbo would achieve a strategic rather than purely financial valuation.
2. Buyer Targeting & Engagement
Although several buyers expressed interest, Barnes Logistics quickly emerged as the ideal partner due to:
- Their existing national footprint
- Cultural alignment
- A clear strategic plan to expand into environmental haulage
- Resources to scale Ningbo’s fleet and services
Logros managed all discussions, ensuring the process remained efficient and founder-friendly.
3. Deal Structuring & Negotiation
Logros:
- Negotiated commercial terms
- Worked alongside Forbes Solicitors (David Filmer) on the legal process
- Managed financial, operational, and legal due diligence
- Provided strategic and emotional support to the founder during key negotiation moments
Throughout the transaction, Brian delivered clear guidance, helping the client remain confident, informed, and supported.
Results: A Successful Exit & Strategic Acquisition
The outcome delivered:
- A strong financial exit for founder Chris Stockton
- Continuity for all employees, who transferred to the buyer
- The creation of Barnes Environmental, a new division built around Ningbo’s capability
- A strategic expansion opportunity for Barnes Logistics
- Legacy protection and a secure future for the business Chris built
This case study reflects Logros’s ability to deliver exceptional outcomes for owner-managed transport businesses seeking a structured exit to a strategic buyer.
Client Testimonial – Chris Stockton, Founder
“Selling Ningbo Walking Floors was a huge moment for me. I had built Ningbo Walking Floors from within a larger haulage business that still carried issues from the Covid period, and despite the growth I needed to get a clean break, in order to focus on my e-commerce business. I needed advisors who genuinely understood what mattered to me — not just the financial result, but the future of the team, the customers, and the reputation we’d created.
Brian from Logros was exceptional from day one. He guided me through the entire process, kept everything moving, found solutions to any problems during negotiations, and supported me through the inevitable emotional ups and downs of selling a founder-led business. His experience, clarity, and calm approach made all the difference.
Brian and Logros ensured that Ningbo Walking Floors is now part of a group that will take it forward to the next level. I’m very grateful for everything they did.”
Why This Matters for Business Owners Considering an Exit
This transaction highlights several key strengths of Logros Advisory Partners:
- Experience in haulage, logistics, and specialist fleet businesses
- Sensitivity to founder priorities, including legacy and team continuity
- Ability to identify and engage strategic buyers
- Hands-on support at every stage, from preparation to completion
- Partner-led deal delivery, ensuring confidence and clarity throughout
For founders considering an exit, whether now or in the future, early planning can significantly improve outcomes. Logros supports owners through both exit planning and business sales advisory, helping them understand their options and prepare with confidence.
