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Former Nightfreight CEO Steve Allen and group services director Carl Bowcock have resurfaced in the industry following their departure from the Willenhall-based carrier last year. They are now the co-owners of two businesses that they acquired last month under the guise of Mission Logistics Holdings. The pair set up Mission Logistics to act as a vehicle for the purchases, which comprise Essex-based Palletline member Task Force Movement and Storage, and Birmingham-based ware-housing business Laplock  Securities, which trades as Thomas's Transport.

Speaking to MT, Bowcock says: "Task Force was up for sale as the owner wanted to retire. It is around 27 years old, has an annual turnover of £8.5m and 93 staff. The existing management team is remaining on board." Palletline chief executive Kevin Buchanan, adds: "From a due diligence point of view, there is nothing to be concerned about on the face of it." Laplock Securities meanwhile, employs 13 staff and has a turnover of £1.2m. "Laplock was part of the Thomas Hire Group of companies and came onto our radar at the same time as Task Force," explains Bowcock.

"They are two solid businesses with very distinct customer bases and we plan to keep both as separate entities for the foreseeable future," he adds. Bowcock is group operations director for Mission Logistics, while Allen is managing director. Allen has previously been a director at a number of blue-chip firms, including DHL, Exel and Russell Davies, while Bowcock  was at DHL as fleet director before leaving to join Nightfreight in May 2007.