The Manchester courier company is the largest independent same-day and medical courier company in the North West of the UK, providing flexible, reliable, cost-effective and technology-driven courier and logistics services. Speed Couriers also operates in Leeds and West Yorkshire.

The company, which was founded 38 years ago, specialises in urgent same day transport for the medical sector across the UK, providing a secure distribution channel for NHS Trusts, GP surgeries and private pathology services. In addition to collecting and delivering blood, pathology samples, pharmaceutical products and records, they also deliver a wide range of non-medical supplies, from internal mail and small packages up to large non-haulage items.

Caledonian Couriers has a tremendous reputation across Scotland and was the designated courier for the last James Bond film, No Time To Die, taking the precious film from each day’s shoot to the production studio.

Director Carl Truscott explained why the company had bought Caledonian Couriers, saying: “Our owner Shaun Merrick has known Carole for over 30 years and as Carole felt it was time to retire, she approached Shaun to see if he was interested in buying her company. He was.

“While we had not been actively looking in Scotland, we do have a significant amount of work there, so it made perfect sense to buy Caledonian Couriers. It was the ideal fit. Carole was very keen to ensure her staff weren’t affected by the deal and we were able to give her that assurance.

“We are now very excited about the future possibilities and development in Scotland. We have taken on Caledonian’s staff and branding as well as continuing to work with the fleet of self- employed couriers. Across the fleet we now have 60 -70 drivers on a weekly basis and looking to keep growing.

“Caledonian Couriers has been established for 30 years and it has a name the people recognise and can relate to. We are keen to maximise all the long hard work that has been put into providing its customers the highest levels of service for many years. Speed Couriers can help and support the future development.”

Carl added: “Caledonian Couriers have been our partner, providing a service for a wide range of our customers and we have worked tremendously well together. Carole has run a business through recessions, financial crises and a pandemic, which is a real testament to her and her team. We all wish her a very long and enjoyable retirement.”

Carole Henderson commented: “I couldn’t have passed my company on to a better company than Speed Couriers. I have complete confidence and trust in Speed Couriers and in Shaun, Carl and their team. I know the company that I founded and nurtured is now in the safest of hands.”

Caledonian Courier Company has been supporting business across Scotland since 1994, shipping thousands of packages to their destination every week. With hundreds of clients across the business spectrum, from SMEs to blue chip companies, the company has developed and enhanced its services over the years to continually meet the varying needs and budgets of clients.