Ahead of the launch of its 1hub in Dartford on 1st August Europa Road has strengthened its domestic transport team. Russ McNally previously National General Manager for Domestic Transport has joined the Board in a new role as Domestic Transport Director.
A true Europa veteran, Russ has worked both for and with the firm for close to 40 years and his new role is central to the introduction of the 1hub concept – designed to speed up transit times and reduce handling Europa is centralising all of its European road freight.
Russ started his career in HM Diplomatic Service, initially working in Whitehall (Foreign & Commonwealth Office) before moving into the freight business in the 1970’s, where he began the Europa association. He started his career at AGA Freight Ltd, which included running the imports, exports and operations. He also worked at Reeve Freight Services and launched his own business before being approached by Europa Worldwide to return as General Manager -Transport in 1999.
Last month Europa Road announced it’s centralising its European road freight by creating a single hub at its newly opened 26,368 square metre Dartford site. The launch of this 1hub concept creates the UK’s largest European groupage hub, with all Europa Road’s network of 10 regional branches around the UK, trunking directly into the hub.
Announcing the appointment, Europa Worldwide’s Managing Director Andrew Baxter commented “Our ambitious £30million 1hub project involves the re-planning and restructuring of how we operate our domestic and European services and Russ has vast experience and a fantastic approach, making him perfect to help deliver this. He is hugely talented and I’m delighted he has agreed to join the Board.”
In the new role Russ will work alongside Operations Director Dan Cook. Previously domestic transport fell within his remit, but with the expansion and development of the domestic operation an increased role could be delivered by one person.
The new role involves the control, running and development of the Europa UK Network – which comprises of Europa operated depots and Regional Partners, supplemented by its membership of the Palletline Network. Russ also has responsibility for the Europa UK Domestic Service.
He commented “When Andrew arrived in our world at Europa he created a real buzz about the place, with lots of new plans and investment. Within the space of months I have gone from planning an early retirement to a place on the Europa Board! Europa has been a very big part of my life, to now find myself as a Director; sitting on the Board is extremely gratifying.”
He added “There are going to be numerous changes as a result of the 1hub system, but those changes will take place with us still maintaining our existing UK Network, working with our existing partners. Right now we are all focussed on the impending transition to the 1hub system. When we throw that switch on the 1st August, all the constituent parts need to work. It’s a momentous time for Europa and I’m excited to be right at the heart of it.”
Europa believes the launch of 1hub puts the business on target to become the clear market leader for groupage business between the UK and Europe and that the new operating model will ultimately change the market place for UK/ European groupage distribution.
Europa Worldwide Group employs more than 500 people across 12 sites in the UK and Hong Kong and is represented in 100 countries. As well as its successful road freight operation, Europa Worldwide also provides specialist air, sea, warehouse and showfreight services.
