The largest road freight firm in the Western Isles has been taken over.
D R Macleod has been acquired by DFDS, the Danish international shipping and logistics operator.
Discussions over the transfer were at an advanced stage last April when the island company’s owner, Donald Roderick Macleod,sadly died, aged 65 years.
Over the years the Stornoway based firm had developed a successful partnership with DFDS.
Both held advanced talks in 2019 for DFDS to take over the running of the business.
Had it not been for the outbreak of the Covid-
The Macleod family said: “Although, unfortunately, D.R. is no longer with us, we are now continuing on with his plans to pass the running of the haulage business to DFDS.
“We too believe that DFDS will be suitable stewards for the business going forwards.”
A DFDS spokesperson said: “Today, we are pleased to announce an agreement has been reached to transfer the transport business of D.R. Macleod Ltd to DFDS Logistics.
“D.R. Macleod has run a successful business on the Scottish Highlands and Islands for over 40 years, and it’s a privilege that we can continue D. R. Macleod’s dedication to impeccable service whilst offering a wider logistics service to our new and existing customers.
“We look forward to welcoming all of our new colleagues to DFDS in the very near future.”
The Macleod family says the new owner shares their values, both as employers who will “continue looking after the workforce of whom we are very proud, and as a business that will support and serve local communities with the high standards of service we have prided ourselves on.”
They added: “Business will continue as normal and customers should see no disruptions to the services we provide as we transition the business into the hands of DFDS.
“You will also still see our yellow and blue colours for some years to come. We will be continuing to work with DFDS over the coming months and support them going forward.”
D.R. Macleod has operated for 42 years and their vehicles in distinctive yellow and blue livery are a consistent sight on the roads of Scotland.
The family said they have always tried to put the needs of our staff and customers at the “heart of what we do and as a business we will continue to do so.
The business was founded in 1981 by D.R. Macleod with one vehicle when he bought an ex-
The company has continued to grow ever since, now operating a fleet of over 70 vehicles and 90 trailers carrying all manner of goods across the country, also offering the same daily express service between Glasgow and Lewis, transporting everything from individual packages to multiple full loads for national and multinational companies.
They added: “We are very proud of what D.R. accomplished in his life time. He was proud to serve the community where he lived, and was especially proud of his workforce.
“He described the business as only being as good as the people you have, and that we are fortunate to have very good people.”
Western Isles haulier, D R Macleod, taken over by transport giant
5 April 2023
