The Leeds branch of Europa Road, a division of independent logistics operator Europa Worldwide Group, is celebrating a record year which coincides with its third anniversary.
The Yorkshire branch, based at Calder Park, has plans for expansion in 2017 at a time when many of its largest competitors have pulled out of the local marketplace.
The team has enjoyed a record breaking month of volumes handling over 1,000 consignments in November – the first time it has gone through the 1,000 barrier in its three year history.
Nathan Lynn, branch manager, said: “Europa’s investment in Yorkshire has really paid off. Our operating structure with locally based dedicated account managers is proving a great success with our customers whose demand for import and export services are very strong as we approach 2017.
“That has had a very positive impact on our performance at a time when many other operators are pulling out of the Yorkshire region due to cost and efficiency issues. It’s great news in what is Europa’s 50th year of trading. It’s a great milestone.”
Europa employs 600 people across 11 sites in the UK plus an office in Hong Kong. Since opening in 2013, the Wakefield branch has grown its pan-European services for local businesses across many sectors. In 2017, it plans to expand its express services in Yorkshire, shipping freight into Europe which will fuel new business wins for the team.
Nathan added: “We are very confident 2017 is going to be another successful year for the Wakefield branch as local businesses remain optimistic. We have laid the foundations for future growth. Despite warnings over Brexit, we certainly haven’t seen any decline in volumes here in Yorkshire, and in fact I believe 2017 will be an even stronger year for us.”
The record breaking performance means the team is looking to expand in 2017 with vacancies in sales and account management roles.
Europa Worldwide Group is owned by Andrew Baxter who acquired the business in 2013. As part of his plans for investment in the North, Yorkshire is a key business area for growth.
Dionne Redpath, Branch Network and Sales Director, commented: “The commercial opportunities in Yorkshire were very evident when we decided to start from zero and open a branch in Wakefield. This has certainly been the case and the appetite among local businesses to use our services reflects this. Yorkshire is an important part of our plans for future growth within our UK network, and the hard work by the team is now paying off.”
