Fastway Couriers (Ireland) acquired by Elysian Capital III LP

Elysian Capital III LP, an independent private equity fund company is to acquire and invest in Parcel Connect Limited (t/a Fastway Couriers (Ireland)) from MML Growth Capital Partners Ireland  and Woodberry Ireland Capital. The parties have exchanged with completion subject only to regulatory approval by the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission. This represents the first investment in 2022 and sixth overall from the Elysian Capital III LP Fund which closed in September 2020 at £325 million.

Founded in Ireland in 2002, Fastway Couriers is now one of the largest courier businesses in Ireland. With a logistic network of 24 locations nationwide, it now handles over 25 million parcels annually, as the delivery partner to over 7,000 Domestic and International clients. It also operates Parcel Connect, Ireland’s largest network of over 1,300 local convenience stores that facilitate over 2.6 million transactions per year.

Commenting on the deal Danny Hughes, Fastway CEO, said: “We’re really pleased to announce this transaction and wish to thank MML and Woodberry Capital for their unwavering support over the past 5 years. The Fastway network, its valued staff and trusted franchisees, have achieved huge successes over recent years and we’re delighted to be backed by the team at Elysian to realise our exciting ambitions over the years to come.”

Jack Jacovou, Partner at Elysian, said: “The courier and logistics markets have enjoyed strong growth in recent years fuelled by the rise of the ecommerce sector. We were attracted to Fastway by its unique courier franchise model and the opportunities to expand the service offering further, both into Ireland and internationally. We are delighted to be backing Danny and his team and look forward to our journey together supporting the business in this next exciting phase in the Fastway story.”

Commenting on the transaction, Neil McGowan, Partner and Co-head of Investments at MML said: “We are extremely pleased with our successful exit of Fastway.  The business has grown nearly three-fold since we invested which is a testament to the skill of Danny Hughes and the entire Fastway team.  We have greatly enjoyed our time working with Danny and team and we wish them, alongside Elysian, every future success in pursuing what continues to be a very exciting opportunity.”

Mark Keating, at Woodberry Capital added: “Woodberry Capital has thoroughly enjoyed supporting Danny Hughes and his team to successfully deliver an ambitious growth plan. They have collectively developed Fastway into Ireland’s e-commerce parcel delivery partner of choice with a fantastic client centric and tech-enabled offering. We wish them every success in executing the next phase of their growth plan alongside new partners Elysian Capital.”

Elysian was advised by: Stephenson Harwood (Legal UK) Flynn O’Driscoll (Legal Ireland); Aon (Insurance); Deloitte (Financial & Tax); Equator (IT). Fastway shareholders were advised by: Arrowpoint Advisory and Mazars Corporate Finance (Corporate Finance); PWC (Financial & Tax); CIL (Commercial), and Pinsent Mason (Legal). Debt is being provided by Muzinich Private Debt, working capital facilities by AIB.

Elysian Capital is an independent private equity fund specialising in the UK and Ireland lower mid-market. The management team combines entrepreneurial and business operational competence with an experienced private equity and leveraged debt capability, providing the full range of skills needed to make and develop successful investments in Elysian’s target markets.

Fastway represents Elysian’s third investment in Ireland after Mergon Group and Cross Rental Services. Elysian opened its Dublin office in 2021.