The two biggest indies buy out smaller groups

The two biggest companies in the Top 50 Indies both acquired other groups during September.

Motor Fuel Group (MFG) expanded its network to 422 stations with the completed acquisition of four stations each from FW Kerridge and Burns & Co, and an exchange of contracts with fellow Top 50 Indie Manor Service Stations for nine stations, with completion scheduled to take place early this month.

Meanwhile, MRH acquired Peregrine Retail Limited, which operates five sites in the South West. The sites which employ a total of 129 staff have Shell-branded forecourts with large Budgens stores. Three of them - Bridgwater, Blackhorse and Wellington also have Subways.

Tom Orford, who has significant retail experience with both Peregrine and Budgens, will become general manager, Peregrine Retail Limited. Tom will lead future MRH expansion within the region, including the addition of six new-to-industry sites over the next 18 months.

This latest acquisition takes the MRH portfolio to a total of 491 sites.