LCR Freeport logistics firm sells stake in business

Liverpool city region logistics specialist and Freeport customs site operator SSO Logistics sells significant stake in business for 'seven-figure sum' to two other freight ventures. Tony McDonough reports

From left, James Wood (IFS), Peter Draper (SSO) and Stephen McAneney (AFS)

One of the key operators within Liverpool City Region Freeport (LCR Freeport) has sold a significant stake in its business for a "seven-figure sum". St Helens-based SSO Logistics is a freight forwarding specialist that in January 2025 began operating a designated customs site [1] in Haydock as part of the LCR Freeport.

Announced as a flagship policy by then Chancellor Rishi Sunak, in March 2021, Freeports are designated zones where normal tax and customs rules do not apply. LCR Freeport has sites across the city region. Now SSO [2], led by managing director and major shareholder Peter Draper, has agreed to the seven-figure investment from two Irish freight experts.

This investment, he says, is about "taking the business to the next level". He has struck what he is calling a strategic partnership with Bolton-based Irish Freight Solutions (IFS) and Armagh-based Allied Fleet Services (AFS). Mr Draper says the deal will allow SSO to grow its footprint in Ireland.

Founded in 2019 by Bolton native James Wood, IFS has rapidly established itself as a key player in logistics services to Ireland, growing from a start-up to achieve a turnover of GBP11m in 2023. AFS initially offered logistics services from its foundation in 2017 but following Brexit, it established itself as Ireland's premier customs service provider, achieving an annual turnover of GBP4.5m. Exact details of the deal have not been disclosed but documents filed on Companies House reveal Bolton-based JW Investments, controlled by James Wood of IFS, had taken a stake in SSO Group of at least 25% but no more than 50%.

Peter Draper remains a "person with significant control" with a shareholding of more than 50% but no more than 75%. He said: "This investment is about taking the business to the next level. We already move freight to Ireland and by sharing our contacts and business relationships, we can expand this even further.

"With IFS' expertise in freight forwarding and AFS' knowledge of customs clearance, we can ensure an even smoother transit of freight into Ireland. "When James knew I was looking for investors he jumped at it. One of the things which attracted him to us was our ability to send loads into Ireland - he'd done a lot of due diligence on us.

"Stephen clears all our deliveries through Ireland, which is vital for traceability. You need a letter of authority signed at every delivery point and without Stephen it doesn't happen. This expertise is vital for us."

In January this year LBN revealed SSO had opened a new 40,000 sq ft warehouse in Widnes [3] in a GBP500,000 expansion that created 20 new jobs. It also acquired six forklift trucks for the Haydock operation.

SSO Logistics operates out of St Helens, Haydock and Widnes

James Wood added: "This is an incredibly exciting time. I have known SSO and Peter personally for several years and we have a synergistic approach to customer service.

"Although we operate in different areas in the logistics sector, our views and visions are aligned. When Peter discussed the opportunity to be a part of the SSO family it was a no-brainer. "Being the freeport for the North West and having a full in-house customs team means SSO can offer a one-stop solution for businesses across the UK, especially Merseyside and the North West."

Stephen McAneney, managing director of AFS, also said: "This investment marks a significant milestone for our business as we continue to strategically grow across the UK and Europe.

"Upon meeting Peter and the SSO team, we were impressed by their shared cultural values and ambitious growth plans.

This alignment of goals and capabilities made the partnership too good to turn down.

References

^ in January 2025 began operating a designated customs site (lbndaily.co.uk)
^ SSO (lbndaily.co.uk)
^ LBN revealed SSO had opened a new 40,000 sq ft warehouse in Widnes (lbndaily.co.uk)