History
The company was founded by TSK Cowie in Sunderland in 1938 as a second hand motorcycle dealer trading as T Cowie Limited. In 1948 the business was re-launched by Tom Cowie, the founder's son, still selling motorcycles. T Cowie plc was floated in December 1964 and in 1965 purchased the first of many car dealerships.
In 1972 it formed Cowie Contract Hire which became the largest contract hire business in the United Kingdom. In 1980 T Cowie made its first bus foray, purchasing the Grey-Green operation in London from the George Ewer Group.
In 1984 T Cowie plc acquired the Hanger Group which included Interleasing, a large vehicle leasing business. Further leasing companies acquired were Marley Leasing, RoyScott Drive and Ringway Leasing.
Following the retirement of Tom Cowie the company was renamed Cowie Group plc in April 1994.
As part of the Privatisation of London bus services, Cowie Group purchased the Leaside Buses and South London Transport business units in September 1994 and January 1995.
Cowie plc bought United Automobile Services and British Bus Group in July and August 1996, both had acquired a number of privatised bus companies. Cowie Group would go on to purchase a number of bus operations across the United Kingdom in the next few years.
In November 1997 the company was rebranded as Arriva plc. In that year it also bought Unibus in Denmark, its first venture outside the United Kingdom. Arriva has since expanded rapidly into Europe.
In June 1999 Arriva sold its vehicle hire business to General Motors. In February 2000 Arriva entered the UK rail market with its purchase of MTL Holdings which included the Merseyrail Electrics and Northern Spirit franchises. In 2002 Arriva sold its motor retailing business and in 2006 it sold its vehicle rental business to Northgate.
In 2010 it was reported that the government owned railway companies of France (SNCF) and Germany (Deutsche Bahn) were considering making takeover bids for the business. SNCF subsidiary Keolis and Arriva entered discussions regarding a merger, however in April 2010 it was announced that Deutsche Bahn was to make a takeover offer for Arriva at 775 pence a share (£1.5 billion). The takeover was approved by the European Commission in August 2010, conditional on Deutsche Bahn disposing of some Arriva services in Germany. The takeover took effect on 27 August 2010. Arriva plc was delisted from the London Stock Exchange on 31 August 2010.
In late 2011 Arriva purchased the Grand Central Railway business and sold its Arriva Scotland West bus operation.
Read more about this topic: Arriva
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