Bowker Group has been ranked 5th in the 2025 Lancashire Limited report, which recognises the 100 largest privately owned businesses in the county by annual turnover.
The report, compiled by professional services firm Grant Thornton, highlights privately owned companies headquartered in Lancashire with a turnover of at least £48.1 million. The Bowker Group, comprising Bowker Transport and Bowker Motor Group, appears prominently in this year’s rankings for its combined commercial performance.
The 2025 edition of the Lancashire Limited report marks the first time Bowker Group has featured in the top five. The analysis also includes a list of the 25 fastest-growing companies in the county, based on EBITDA (Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation) growth. Collectively, the top 100 businesses generated £11.5 billion in turnover, £1.1 billion in EBITDA and employed approximately 60,000 people.
Andy Gee, Group Chief Financial Officer at Bowker Group, said: “Seeing Bowker Group placed 5th in the Lancashire Limited rankings is something we’re very proud of. It’s a reflection of the hard work across both the transport and motor businesses. Being family-owned for more than a century makes this kind of recognition all the more meaningful.”
Bowker Group includes a number of independent businesses owned by the Bowker family. The two principal businesses within the Bowker Group are Bowker Transport and Bowker Motor Group. Bowker Transport, founded in 1919, provides warehousing and logistics solutions across regulated sectors such as food, pharmaceuticals, and chemicals. Its operations include over 1.5 million square feet of warehousing across 11 UK distribution centres, with a fleet of more than 265 vehicles and 500 trailers.
Bowker Motor Group represents luxury automotive brands, including BMW, MINI, and Porsche, with retail and service locations in Preston, Blackburn, and Bolton. Its presence in the North West automotive sector spans over four decades, with services including new and used sales, aftersales, and corporate partnerships.
Andy Gee added: “We’ve always focused on growing steadily and investing wisely, and it’s good to see that long-term approach paying off. Whether it’s in logistics or motor retail, we’re committed to building strong relationships – with customers, suppliers, and our own teams.”
The Lancashire Limited 2025 report is intended to showcase the impact of the county’s private sector on the regional and national economy. It offers insight into business resilience, growth strategies, and sector diversity across the county.
The Grant Thornton 2025 Lancashire Limited report can be downloaded here.
