Dealmakers: A strong direction of travel

By Ged Henderson

05 Oct 2023

Pete Slater CMAC Group

As a business built on getting people from one place to another it’s no surprise that CMAC has mapped out its own business journey with a clear view of where it is heading.

The company has made its name as an expert in ground travel solutions, including managing alternative transport and accommodation for airlines affected by disruption such as severe weather, strike action, national disasters and technical and operational problems.

Since 2007 it has evolved from that reliable and trusted business continuity solutions provider, based in Accrington, to a thriving pan-sector organisation with established European services.

Today it has offices in the UK, Spain, Greece, Portugal and The Netherlands and transports some three million travellers annually.

The CMAC Group has a £150m turnover and a 350-strong workforce, with 40 per cent of its business based outside the UK. A very active buy and build strategy has played a key role in its development alongside organic growth.

Over the past 12 months the deals have come thick and fast. The latest, in July this year, saw CMAC buy Netherlands-based Airline Services & Accommodation Partner (A.S. & A.P) for an undisclosed sum.

This newest addition to the CMAC Group supports more than 40 airline partners across three Netherlands airports, including the country’s main international airport, Schiphol. Its core service is re-accommodating disrupted passengers and crew, booking more than 25,000 room nights each year.

June saw CMAC’s purchase of a controlling stake in online travel quotes website Coach Hire Comparison. Offering prices from around 300 minibus and coach operators across the UK, its website attracts more than 12,000 business and consumer users each month. Prior to that, in September last year CMAC sealed the deal to purchase Suntransfers, one of Europe’s largest airport transfer companies, based in Barcelona.

The acquisition, again for an undisclosed price, was designed to further bolster CMAC’s supply chain and provide immediate coverage to its existing clients across 23,000 destinations.

Suntransfers offers travel solutions across more than 750 airports and travel gateways worldwide.

That same month it also completed the acquisition of Portuguese-based travel firm Here & Dare, which operates across the Iberian country, including Madeira and the Azores. The Here & Dare team is available 24/7 to support clients with planned managed ground travel and accommodation solutions, destination management and emergencies.

CMAC began its expansion into Europe in 2018 with the launch of an operation in Greece, before acquiring Aircinks Solutions, a specialist in supporting airlines across its native Spain as well as Portugal and Morocco.

As well as buying businesses the group has entered into “strategic partnerships.” They include one announced earlier this year with Checkedsafe, a leading compliance platform for many sectors including, large fleets, HGVs, car rental, as well as bus, coach and taxi.

The Burnley based company’s award-winning vehicle compliance system has revolutionised the way drivers, and businesses, carry out vehicle safety checks. Both businesses speak of opportunities for growth and diversification.

CMAC Group’s chief executive Peter Slater explains the thinking behind the buy and build strategy. He says: “All our acquisitions, with one exception, have been profitable businesses with good people running them who know what they are doing.

“We’ve not only been interested in the businesses, we have been interested in the people as well. If we can add good quality people to our network that is as big an attraction to me as any profit that company might make.”

It means that most of the acquired operations have their original management teams in place in some cases the founders of the business. Will Kanon, managing director of A.S. & A.P, is looking forward to working with the CMAC team to grow the business that he founded further

He says: “This move represents an exciting opportunity for AS&AP to expand its reach and capabilities and drive further value for clients and hotel partners, many of whom I’ve worked with for over 14 years. I believe that the combined strengths of our two companies will create a powerful force in the market.”

Through acquisitions like these CMAC has worked to establish a presence in strategic European locations, harnessing local expertise for the benefit of its customer base. Its Barcelona operation has 83 staff. Peter says: “We are very much a European business now.”

As part of its deal making activities the group has also adopted a strategy that  looks to maximise its chances of having a sustainable business.

Peter describes the approach as one of “protection” and says: “Having a balanced portfolio of businesses increases our chance of profits and effectively reduces the risk of losses.

“Usually, if one channel within the business is suffering due to external factors outside of our control - for example, weather related disruption could be lower than usual - we see a spike elsewhere.”

He adds: “The acquisition has to be related back to the core in some way.”

Another increasingly important part of the strategy is looking at how the various arms of the business can interact and open up opportunities for each other through collaboration. Joining up the dots and seeing that bigger picture.”

Peter says: “We are seeing the benefit of these acquisitions in terms of the collaboration. And we are using our infrastructure to be able to support and grow the businesses.”

The group remains on the lookout for acquisitions that fit its criteria and has eyes on expanding further across Europe and into the Middle East. Peter adds: “We are still growing the company organically as well as through acquisitions.”

He says it is important to take a strategic and measured view when it comes to selecting potential targets as part of a buy and build strategy.

And he adds: “If you aren’t clever with your selections you could end up going round in circles and not achieving anything. Don’t just buy because you like buying.”

Enjoyed this? Read more from Ged Henderson

Latest news

1

New India branch campus on the horizon for Lancaster University Keir Starmer meets Indian PM and included Prof Simon Guy Lancaster University. Pic Simon Dawson

New India branch campus on the horizon for Lancaster University

09 Oct 2025

2

Best events and talented students complete finalists list for Lancashire Tourism Awards 2026 Best Events and Talented students on Lancashire Tourism Awards finalist list

Best events and talented students complete finalists list for Lancashire Tourism Awards 2026

09 Oct 2025

3

East Lancashire Learning Group named UK digital transformation leader in CIO 100 Awards Andrew Dewhurst with the award win

East Lancashire Learning Group named UK digital transformation leader in CIO 100 Awards

09 Oct 2025

4

PHX Training appoints new business leader in Blackpool Jason Davenport PHX Training

PHX Training appoints new business leader in Blackpool

09 Oct 2025

5

Velocity seals Airbus extension worth up to $54m Velocity Composites Has Announced Its Entry Into The Us Market

Velocity seals Airbus extension worth up to $54m

08 Oct 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

Help to grow management course
Help to grow - barriers to growth.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
26 Sep 2025 - 16 Dec 2025

Help to grow management course

Preston Campus , Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 15:00

Empowering Franchise Growth in the North West
Empowering Franchise Growth in the North West event
LBV Hub Seminars
09 Oct 2025 - 09 Oct 2025

Empowering Franchise Growth in the North West

Forbes Solicitors, Sceptre Way, Walton Summit Centre, PR5 6AW, PR6 6AW

08:00 - 10:00

Empowering franchise growth in the North West
TFA Event - Empowering Franchise Growth.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
09 Oct 2025 - 09 Oct 2025

Empowering franchise growth in the North West

Forbes Solicitors Sceptre Way Walton Summit Centre , Preston, PR5 6AW

08:00 - 10:00

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – Oct 10th
Ai 10.10.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
10 Oct 2025 - 10 Oct 2025

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – Oct 10th

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Burnley, BB11 1JG

09:00 - 12:00

The New Employee Rights Landscape: Day One Compliance Essentials
EventBrite NORi - 15th Oct 2025 Webinar.png.png
LBV Hub Webinar
15 Oct 2025 - 15 Oct 2025

The New Employee Rights Landscape: Day One Compliance Essentials

Microsoft Teams, Microsoft Teams, PR253XH

13:30 - 15:00

Unlocking major project opportunities in the North West
Lancs-cham-logo.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
15 Oct 2025 - 15 Oct 2025

Unlocking major project opportunities in the North West

Strathmore Hotel, Morecambe, LA4 5AP

08:00 - 10:00

October Freelancer Meet-Up
LBV Hub Networking
16 Oct 2025 - 16 Oct 2025

October Freelancer Meet-Up

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

The Autumn Re set - pour me a wine
LBV Advert_Autumn Reset 1200 x 630px.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
16 Oct 2025 - 16 Oct 2025

The Autumn Re set - pour me a wine

The Artistry House , Preston , PR1 3JJ

17:30 - 19:30

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Header (26).png.png
LBV Hub Networking
16 Oct 2025 - 16 Oct 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Stanley House, Blackburn, BB2 7NP

11:30 - 14:15

Women scaling up Blackpool Fylde and Wyre
LBV Hub Seminars
22 Oct 2025 - 09 Jan 2026

Women scaling up Blackpool Fylde and Wyre

The Small Business Academy, Blackpool, FY4 5JX

09:30 - 15:30

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV124 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin