A South Wales international car and vehicle shipping company has been put on the market by its founders, who wish to reduce their commitments and embark on semi-retirement. Alec and Nicola Laycy have appointed Blacks Business Brokers to find a new owner for Ship Cars Limited, with a guide price of £499,995.

Mr and Mrs Laycy, both of whom have long pedigrees in the shipping and freight forwarding sector, established Ship Cars Limited in 2019. The business, which currently operates from the couple’s home in Llanhilleth in Blaenau Gwent, ships cars, vans, motorbikes, trucks, caravans, motorhomes and trailers worldwide, providing services both for businesses and private individuals.

Ship Cars organises transportation of vehicles worldwide to and from the ports of Bristol, Liverpool, London, Sheerness, Tilbury, Southampton, Teesport, Immingham and Felixstowe. It offers both roll-on/roll-off and container services and will continue to operate as normal until a new owner is in place.

In its most recent financial year Ship Cars reported turnover of £1.62 million, achieving gross profit of more than £330,000. It is currently operated solely by its two owners and attracts business via its comprehensive websites and a bank of repeat customers.

Megan Sutherst, deal executive at Blacks Business Brokers, said, “Ship Cars is an established, profitable business with strong relationships in place both with suppliers and repeat customers. Because it is currently operated from home it is fully relocatable and would suit either an existing shipping business looking to expand or somebody with experience in the sector who wants to take their first steps into business ownership.

“Although our clients have built a significant business over a relatively short period, there is still plenty of growth on the table. In particular, a new owner could market the business more proactively to private individuals, including via social media, and, at the other end of the spectrum, also focus on making deeper inroads into the lucrative corporate market.”

All enquiries should be directed to Blacks Business Brokers on 0333 370 0000, quoting reference 7878.