AC Williams acquires Southern Holidays

Lincolnshire coach operator, A C Williams, has announced a 50% expansion with the acquisition of neighbouring Southern Holidays of Sleaford, building on a record year which saw company turnover soar by 40%. Together the merged companies will offer a fleet of nearly 30 vehicles, ranging from executive coaches through to double deckers and wheelchair accessible minibuses. The merger will see the two companies offering a total of 50 holiday departures and over 200 day trips next year, alongside their schools and UK and European commercial contracts. The entire fleet will be maintained through A C Williams’ own specialist workshop. It has invested £500,000 in equipment and vehicles this year alone. The company’s Chairman, Glen Pratt, has set his sights on becoming the county’s biggest operator. He took over the business just over twelve months ago, securing 25 local jobs at the time. The combined companies will employ 35 people. In due course, the intention is for A C Williams and Southern to operate all the merged services from the A C Williams site in Ancaster, with Southern staff transferring to these offices. Directors Leigh and Rebecca Robbins and all the employees of Southern Holidays will continue in the newly merged group.

Group Executive Chairman, Glen Pratt, said, ‘The joining of these well-respected names will provide all our customers with a bigger choice from our top of the range fleet of vehicles.  Corporate customers will have greater flexibility from the bigger fleet and wider range of vehicle capacities, whilst our day trip and holiday travellers will find even more choice in types of trip and new destinations. We want to become Lincolnshire’s best and most trusted coach operator and this expansion makes us well placed for future growth.’

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