A historic Yorkshire haulage business has been acquired by a national logistics company in a deal supported by law firm Brabners. Expect Distribution, based in Bradford, has purchased Longs of Leeds, a family-owned warehousing and distribution business that traces its roots in Leeds back to 1918.
Expect Distribution employs about 450 people and operates services across warehousing, contract logistics and consolidation for Amazon vendors. Its clients include household names such as Astonish, Card Factory and several pharmaceutical firms. The acquisition expands its presence in Yorkshire while providing an exit for Longs of Leeds’ owners, Andrew and Stephen Long.
Founded over a century ago, Longs of Leeds began when Joe Long returned from the First World War and started a coal delivery business in Holbeck. Over the decades, the company grew alongside the development of Britain’s motorway network, expanding its fleet and services. It became a member of Pall-Ex in the 1990s, allowing it to deliver smaller loads with next-day guarantees. Today, Longs of Leeds operates from its Sandleas Way base with a fleet of more than 100 trucks and an additional depot at Hull’s Queen Elizabeth Docks.
Matthew Kilner, managing director of Expect Distribution, said: “Longs of Leeds is a respected name in the industry and we’re excited to welcome the company into the Expect Distribution family. This acquisition not only strengthens our capabilities but also reinforces our commitment to providing flexible, high-quality logistics solutions to businesses across the UK.”
Andrew Long, outgoing managing director of Longs of Leeds, said the decision came at the right time. “The time is right to pass the business onto new owners who can take it forward and into its next chapter. I believe the business will continue to grow and thrive under its new owners.”
Expect Distribution, which operates a fleet of over 130 modern vehicles and partners nationally with Palletline, provides next-day, timed and tail-lift deliveries, as well as 48-hour economy services. The company also offers contract logistics solutions combining dedicated and hybrid fleets, delivering tailored, cost-efficient services for clients across multiple sectors. Its warehouses store a wide range of goods including food, drinks, pharmaceuticals, building supplies and stationery, with options for racked, block-stacked and temperature-controlled storage.
The company’s core values centre on teamwork, excellence, accountability, adaptability, integrity and honesty. Expect Distribution emphasises profitability balanced with fairness, teamwork across departments, and maintaining a strong family ethos. It aims to make employees feel valued while promoting transparency and professionalism throughout its operations.
The acquisition aligns with Expect Distribution’s long-term growth strategy, which focuses on strengthening national networks and deepening regional operations. The company’s Yorkshire base and established client relationships make Longs of Leeds a strategic addition that supports expansion in warehousing and distribution capacity.
Brabners advised the Long family throughout the sale. Its corporate and commercial property teams, led by partner Brett Cooper, structured the deal and managed the transfer of property leases. Cooper, an expert in the road transport sector, joined Brabners in May. He was supported by Chris Beesley, Megan Dent, Mariam Shah and Nikki Whittle.
Brett Cooper said: “Mergers and acquisitions are on the rise in the transport and logistics sector, with many national and international operators seeing the advantage of growing through acquisition and the benefits this brings from economies of scale. This acquisition is a great example of that. Longs of Leeds is a quality family business with an experienced team and strong customer base. The deal will allow the company to thrive under new ownership while supporting Expect Distribution’s continued market share growth in Yorkshire and strengthening its national networks.”
Corporate finance advice was provided by Azets, with partner Nick Barker working alongside SJL Advisory. Barker said: “It was a pleasure to work alongside Stuart of SJL Advisory and the excellent team at Brabners in securing Longs of Leeds a new home. It is a great business with a rich family heritage, and I wish everyone involved every success in the future.”
The acquisition of Longs of Leeds by Expect Distribution marks the continuation of Yorkshire’s strong legacy in logistics. It combines the heritage of a century-old family business with the national reach and modern infrastructure of a leading UK operator, reinforcing the strength of the region’s transport and distribution industry.
