Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Cowie drives away with British Bus in pounds 302m deal

Nigel Cope
Tuesday 18 June 1996 23:02 BST
Comments

Cowie, the Sunderland-based motor dealer, is set to become Britain's third largest bus company following yesterday's pounds 302m deal to acquire British Bus, writes Nigel Cope. The deal gives Cowie a 16 per cent share of the UK bus market.

It will also net British Bus founder Dawson Williams an estimated pounds 10m. The company had been planning a flotation when details of a Serious Fraud Office enquiry into Mr Williams emerged last year.

Cowie will fund the deal through 1 for 3 rights issue priced at 355p, raising pounds 186m. Cowie will also take on British Bus' pounds 100m of debt.

British Bus is strong in the Midlands, Yorkshire and the North West, while Cowie's beat is in north and south London.

Cowie chief executive Gordon Hodgson described the deal as: "The last remaining opportunity for a strategic acquisition of an independent business in the UK bus industry." He said the company was still looking for other deals.

Last year, British Bus made operating profits of pounds 34m on sales of pounds 261m. Cowie shares closed 3p higher at 409p.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in