The move is part of a five-year growth plan announced by UWS earlier this year, with the east London premises set to become the wholesaler’s fourth cash and carry and its first in England.
Based in Glasgow, UWS will take control of the TWS site from July of this year.
“This is a significant first step towards achieving our goal of exceeding £500 million in revenue,” said Chris Gallagher, UWS managing director.
“UWS and TWS are independent family wholesalers that share the same core beliefs regarding customers, suppliers, and colleagues. We both pride ourselves on leading the way in innovation and technology, which makes this acquisition a perfect fit.”
Gallagher explained that with the wholesale sector entering a period of consolidation, UWS acknowledged the need to invest in the future of its operations.
“We are firmly focused on identifying opportunities for growth and this deal signifies a clear step forward in our plans for expansion,” he continued.
“We have some incredibly exciting plans for the London depot which we will share at the right time.”
TWS managing director Sony Bihal will continue to lead the London team moving forward, and described the takeover by UWS as an opportunity for growth.
“We are delighted to be joining the UWS family, it’s a real opportunity to strengthen our current market and diversify into new markets, not only in retail but catering as well,” Bihal added.
“The opportunity to showcase the UWS award-winning Day Today and Usave symbol groups on the streets of London, alongside their GDK franchise business, is extremely exciting”.
Bihal explained that it will be “business as usual” for now, but that the firm would reach out to customers to discuss the implications of the acquisition over the coming weeks.
“Our customers, suppliers, and colleagues in London will continue to receive elevated levels of support that they have always received from Time Wholesale Services,” he concluded.
UWS is a member of Unitas Wholesale, the Doncaster-based buying group with a membership that includes a raft of cash and carry businesses across the UK.
“UWS is a dynamic and forward-thinking member of Unitas and we are thrilled to see them bringing their exceptional proposition to retailers in London and the South of England,” said Unitas managing director John Kinney.
“Independent wholesalers are not standing still in a challenging market — they are actively seeking our growth opportunities. This move by UWS is a clear example of this ambition in action, and there is more to come. Despite economic pressures and unhelpful interventions from the [UK] Government, our wholesalers continue to invest in supporting independent retailers, the foodservice sector, and on-trade customers.”
