Christian Salvesen's final set of results as an independent business show a rise in profit. The company posted a 16% rise in underlying pre-tax profit, to £7.2m, for the half year to September, ahead of Norbert Dentressangle's £254m buy-out. The European Commission is expected to give the go-ahead for the deal later this week.
Salvesen believes its UK transport operation benefited from a turnaround plan put in place earlier in the year, including new systems to increase productivity, more investment in purpose-built sites, an improved fleet and modified pricing. The results were boosted by Salvesen renewing with several existing customers, such as Marks and Spencer and Birds Eye.
A Salvesen spokesman says the acquisition by the French transport firm has been "welcomed by employees and customers alike". He adds: "There is a strong strategic fit between the two companies: our operations are complementary and there is limited overlap. Together, we will make a stronger operation 
spanning 13 countries and providing an expanded range of services across a wider geographical area."