MDS Logistics Limited, formerly known as Manufacturers’ Delivery Services (MDS), is one of Nigeria’s leading logistics and supply chain firms. It was founded in 1965 as a warehousing unit of George Bentworth Ollivant (GBO), which was the merchandising department of UAC of Nigeria Plc (UACN).
Originally, the service was internal, meant to support UACN’s merchandising operations, but over time, it has broadened its mandate to become a third-party provider, offering services to a wide range of manufacturers, importers, service providers, and wholesale distributors.
In terms of shareholding, UACN was initially the sole owner, but in 2013 it entered a partnership with Imperial Logistics of South Africa, which acquired 49% equity in MDS. Eventually, in 2019, Imperial Logistics increased its stake to 57%, taking greater control of the company. UACN now holds about 43%. The deal was valued on a US$40 million equity base, and it involved Imperial also bringing in selected profitable contracts as part of the transaction, alongside a cash payment of US$2.4 million.
Operationally, MDS runs a large network of warehousing, haulage (transportation), and distribution services. Its warehousing business includes general, dedicated, and specialized warehousing, inventory management, sales order administration, information management, and credit control functions.
Its physical presence is broad: it has distribution hubs in 9 states and a warehouse network capacity of approximately 110,000 square metres, and its distribution and haulage operations connect over 400 cities/villages.
