Cathay
Cathay Investments Limited is a UK privately-held holding company executing a buy-and-build strategy across chemicals, logistics, toys, and healthcare, with 14+ subsidiaries including 3PL providers, composite materials distributors, and nonwovens manufacturers serving enterprise customers across the UK and Europe.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2003
- HeadquartersCroydon, United Kingdom
- Headcount501–1,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Cathay does
Cathay Investments Limited is a UK-based privately-held holding company founded in 2003 that pursues a buy-and-build acquisition strategy across the chemicals, logistics, toys, and healthcare sectors. Headquartered in Croydon, UK, with a regional office in Wan Chai, Hong Kong, the group controls 14+ operating subsidiaries that span third-party logistics, freight forwarding, composite materials distribution, nonwovens manufacturing, toys and stationery wholesale, greeting cards franchising, and medical/optical equipment manufacturing. The group's logistics platform operates across 17 UK and European locations with over 1.1 million square feet of warehouse space, 60+ transport vehicles, and an Amethyst Global Freight network spanning 425 offices and 20,000+ operatives worldwide.
The operating model centers on acquiring mid-market distribution and manufacturing businesses, retaining existing management, and providing shared group resources including a Warehouse Management System (WMS) that offers inventory identification, order visibility, and customer-facing portal access. Core subsidiaries include Amethyst Group (3PL services with up to 650,000 sq ft of shared-user warehousing), Euroresins International (composite materials distribution across nine European countries with a 4,000+ product portfolio), Warehouse One Distribution (regulated contract logistics with MHRA and upper-tier COMAH approval and 400,000+ sq ft across four sites), Lantor BV (nonwovens manufacturing in the Netherlands and Germany), and Mercian Logistics (UK distribution and fulfillment acquired in 2022). The portfolio serves enterprise and mid-market customers across fashion & beauty, toys & baby, pharmaceutical, composite materials, and consumer goods verticals, with named enterprise customers including Toys R Us UK, MGA Entertainment, Uniqlo, New Look, and Agent Provocateur.
Revenue is generated primarily through B2B managed services including warehousing, pick-pack-dispatch fulfillment, freight forwarding, and wholesale distribution, with pricing conducted via undisclosed relationship-based contracts. The company is led by founder and Managing Director Ben Chaing, who has overseen the acquisition of operating companies from listed sellers including Cytec Industries, Royal DSM, and Itochu Corporation. In April 2025 the group expanded beyond its traditional distribution focus with the launch of Cathay Technologies, a subsidiary commercializing digital aviation solutions including the Electronic Flight Folder to the broader aviation market. Growth has been self-funded through a mix of bank debt and reinvested profits, with no disclosed institutional investors or public market listing.
Cathay firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Cathay
- Legal name
- Cathay Investments Limited
- Website
- https://cathay-investments.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2003
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 501–1,000 employees
- Short description
- Cathay Investments Limited is a UK privately-held holding company executing a buy-and-build strategy across chemicals, logistics, toys, and healthcare, with 14+ subsidiaries including 3PL providers, composite materials distributors, and nonwovens manufacturers serving enterprise customers across the UK and Europe.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Cathay industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Logistics and Distribution Services
- NAICS
- Portfolio Management and Investment Advice (523940), Other Financial Investment Activities (5239), All Other Financial Investment Activities (52399)
- SIC
- Investment Advice (6282), Public Warehousing & Storage (4220), Arrangement Of Transportation Of Freight & Cargo (4731)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Transportation, Logistics & Mobility Growth Equity (FSANACAK)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Aerospace & Defense (TLAIALAB)
Keywords
Where Cathay is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Croydon
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices6 records
Markets served
Cathay business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Distribution Services: Revenue generated through distribution of chemicals, logistics services, toys, stationery, and healthcare products across UK and Europe. Income from warehousing, fulfillment, and freight forwarding services.
- Third-party Logistics (3PL): Third-party logistics provider offering warehousing and distribution services with B2B, B2C, and D2C fulfillment capabilities
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels3 records
Cathay product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Cathay Investments Limited is a privately-held UK investment holding company that acquires and operates industrial subsidiaries across third-party logistics, contract warehousing, freight forwarding, B2C/D2C fulfillment, chemical and composite material distribution, and specialty manufacturing. Through its portfolio it provides storage, distribution, fulfillment, and freight forwarding services to enterprise customers in the toy, fashion, beauty, pharmaceutical, composite, and consumer goods sectors, and has begun commercializing digital aviation solutions.
Product overview
Cathay is a UK-based mid-cap privately-owned investment company founded in 2003, operating as a holding company with a portfolio of subsidiaries across chemicals, logistics, toys, and healthcare sectors. The company follows a buy-and-build acquisition strategy, with operations spanning 17 locations across the UK and Europe with over 1.1 million sq ft of warehouse space. The portfolio includes Mercian Logistics (UK distribution and fulfilment), Amethyst Group (third-party logistics), Amethyst Global Freight (freight forwarding), Warehouse One (contract logistics), Euroresins International (composite materials distribution across Europe), Lantor BV (nonwovens manufacturing), Perkins Group Services and Williams of Swansea (toy and stationery distribution), The Original Poster Company (greeting cards franchise), Marpex Chemicals (chemical distribution), Educational and Scientific Products (medical models), and Sussex Vision International (optical equipment). The company also launched Cathay Technologies in 2025 to commercialize digital aviation solutions including the Electronic Flight Folder to the broader aviation industry.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Quantifiable outcome
- 22+ years of experience in toy industry sector
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Cathay
Customer profileNamed customers9 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Cathay technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
Cathay partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- IvylineminorIvyline, a supplier of contemporary accessories for homes and gardens, joined Amethyst Group for warehousing and distribution services. Ivyline ethically sources products including indoor planters, glassware, Christmas items, and outdoor living collections.
- Toys R Us UKcoreToys R Us UK partnered with Amethyst Group as their logistics provider for e-commerce operations in the UK. Operation runs from Wellesbourne Super-Hub with 47,000 pallet spaces and 80,000 sq ft e-commerce facilities.
- Anker Stuy CompositesminorEuroresins collaborating with Anker Stuy for distribution of emission-free gel coats in Benelux, UK and Scandinavia. Anker Stuy manufactures specialist paints, gel coats and coatings.
- PoliyaminorEuroresins SAS collaborating with Poliya for distribution of polyester and vinylester resins, gel coats, bonding pastes across France under brands Polipol, Polives, Poligel and Politix.
- SIR IndustrialecoreEuroresins appointed as exclusive distributor for SIR Industriale SpA in UK, Belgium, Netherlands, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Sweden, Finland and Norway. SIR Industriale has 80+ years experience in resin manufacturing.
- Now Group UKminorNow Group UK partnered with Amethyst for warehousing and distribution services. Now Group distributes Outback BBQ's, Bose, Denon and other high-end audio equipment.
- Smash GlobalminorSmash Global partnered with Amethyst for UK warehousing and distribution services. Smash manufactures functional and innovative food and drink storage containers.
- MGA EntertainmentcoreGlobal toy firm MGA Entertainment appointed Amethyst Group as its warehouse and logistics provider, including for MGA Entertainment and Zapf Creation products.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves12 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Cathay competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Wincanton: UK-based contract logistics and warehousing provider serving retail, FMCG, and industrial customers. Directly comparable to Cathay's Amethyst Group and Warehouse One in 3PL/4PL services for the UK market.
- Endless LLP: UK mid-market private equity firm executing buy-and-build strategies across distribution, logistics, and specialty industrials. Closely comparable to Cathay's investment holding company structure and acquisition cadence.
- EMK Capital: UK growth equity firm focused on business services and consumer-related investments with buy-and-build approach. Comparable to Cathay's holding company model targeting niche distribution and specialty industrials.
- Livingbridge: UK mid-market private equity firm investing in consumer-facing, distribution, and business services companies. Comparable to Cathay's investment holding approach and sector focus areas.
Broad incumbents
- DHL Supply Chain (Deutsche Post DHL): Global contract logistics leader with warehousing, distribution, and freight forwarding operations across Europe. Comparable to Cathay's Amethyst Global Freight and Warehouse One offerings at much larger scale.
- GXO Logistics: Global pure-play contract logistics provider offering warehousing and distribution for retail and consumer goods. Overlaps directly with Cathay's Amethyst Group 3PL services for fashion, toys, and e-commerce customers.
- XPO Logistics: Major European and global logistics provider with warehousing, freight forwarding, and contract logistics. Comparable scale and service breadth to Cathay's integrated logistics network across UK and Europe.
- Brenntag: Global specialty chemicals distribution leader with broad product portfolio across multiple chemistries. Comparable to Cathay's Euroresins and Marpex Chemicals distribution operations at much larger scale.
- Univar Solutions: Major specialty chemical and ingredient distributor serving industrial customers across Europe. Comparable business model to Cathay's Euroresins composite materials distribution and Marpex Chemicals operations.
Emerging players
- Hubron Specialoys: European specialty distributor of composite materials and carbon black. Niche competitor to Cathay's Euroresins in the composite resins and specialty chemicals distribution space.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Cathay social profiles
Digital presenceCathay compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Cathay financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Cathay leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles9 records
Cathay subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries15 records
Cathay funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Cathay M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Cathay
What does Cathay do?
Cathay Investments Limited is a privately-held UK investment holding company that acquires and operates industrial subsidiaries across third-party logistics, contract warehousing, freight forwarding, B2C/D2C fulfillment, chemical and composite material distribution, and specialty manufacturing. Through its portfolio it provides storage, distribution, fulfillment, and freight forwarding services to enterprise customers in the toy, fashion, beauty, pharmaceutical, composite, and consumer goods sectors, and has begun commercializing digital aviation solutions.
Is Cathay a public or private company?
Cathay is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Cathay founded?
Cathay was founded in 2003. It employs 501 to 1,000 people.
Where is Cathay based?
Cathay is headquartered in Croydon, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Cathay make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Distribution Services are the primary driver. The others are third-party Logistics (3PL).
Who are Cathay's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Wincanton, Endless LLP, EMK Capital and Livingbridge. Broad incumbents are DHL Supply Chain (Deutsche Post DHL), GXO Logistics, XPO Logistics, Brenntag and Univar Solutions. Hubron Specialoys is listed as an emerging player.
Does Cathay have an API?
No public API is recorded for Cathay.
What industry is Cathay in?
Cathay's product category is Logistics and Distribution Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is FSANACAK, Transportation, Logistics & Mobility Growth Equity, with a secondary code of TLAIALAB, Aerospace & Defense. Its NAICS code is 523940 and its SIC code is 6282.