Peters & May was a general freight forwarder founded and run by two dynamic individuals. Originally located by Ocean Village in Southampton, the company developed expertise in the shipping of yachts and marine equipment on behalf of yacht manufacturers and race teams for international events. In this area Peters & May developed a leadership position worldwide and the business grew rapidly. However, further growth eventually became constrained by the number of hours the two owners could work in a day.

The long view

Constantine Group had been looking for a niche logistics business to acquire and Peters & May was the ideal partner. The team at Peters & May had exemplary commercial skills and they were left to develop the business seamlessly through the change in ownership. For its part, Constantine Group provided an environment of long-term investment and financial strength that enabled the business to extend its planning horizon. Providing opportunity for the business provides opportunity for the employees, who are the company's lifeblood, and this was a key aim of both the former owners and Constantine Group. We want the staff to enjoy working for Constantine, to feel that they are challenged by what they do and to know that they will receive their due share of the profits.

Focus

Constantine Group was able to bring focus to Peters & May’s strategy: the 7 original business streams were reduced to 4 by transferring the non-core activities to the unit managers, who continue to run their businesses independently. The four remaining businesses were re-organised so that each was managed by the sector experts, and each was re-branded and given independence to develop.

To all these businesses, Constantine Group was able to bring in expertise in IT and financial systems, which has resulted in up-to-the-day information and financial reporting. This makes the business far more nimble and responsive to developments and customer needs. Lastly, and not least, the former owners were able to provide security for themselves by selling the business and still remain with the business if they wished to do so.

Constantine Group acquired Peters & May in December 2005. All four business streams have thrived and grown. One of the former owners remains in the business and is its Managing Director of Peters & May Ltd.

In support of the marine business, Peters & May has been able to invest in other offices in Europe and the Middle East. In 2007, Constantine Group led the acquisition of Air & Ocean Shipping Inc. based in Chicago. This company, renamed Peters & May USA Inc., enables us to provide in-country service to the US market. In 2009, with Constantine Group support, Peters & May acquired Complete Freight Ltd, a like-minded independent yacht logistics company, also run by two dynamic individuals, and a market leader in the shipment of racing yachts and masts.

The partnership between the existing team and the Constantine Group has enabled Peters & May to grow rapidly worldwide while continuing to give its customers exemplary service and thereby reinforcing its position as a global leader in its field.