Finance Birmingham delivers for logistics firm
A BIRMINGHAM logistics firm has received £550,000 of funding from Finance Birmingham.
Over the last 12 months, Garretts Green-based Contact Transport has seen a 60% increase in turnover to nearly £20m.
The funding will aid its growth plans and also ensure that it can take on new contracts within the ‘Final Mile’ division – the last leg of a product’s journey in the supply chain before it arrives with a customer.
The firm, which already works for major clients including Amazon and UPS, was formed in 1980. It began as a small courier business for airline agents, delivering and collecting freight in and around Birmingham Airport.
The company added overnight parcel deliveries to its operations in the late 1990s and – with the rise of internet shopping – started working within the ‘Final Mile’ sector over the last decade.
It now offers a portfolio of services, including contract hire, logistics management, warehousing and haulage, operating up to 400 vehicles per day across the UK and employing 400 staff.
Neil Hughes, managing director at Contact Transport, said: “By investing in our experienced workforce and utilising the right mix of vehicles, Contact Transport provides clients with an all-round logistics package, rather than just specialising in one field, which we believe is unique in this sector.
“Finance Birmingham’s funding will enable the company to strengthen its offer by supporting existing jobs in the region, and adding a further eight direct posts – plus many more indirect roles – over the next three years.”
Contact Transport secured investment from the £9m programme, managed by Finance Birmingham to support SMEs from all business sectors across the Greater Birmingham and Solihull LEP area.
Ian Fairclough, investment director at Finance Birmingham, said: “Contact Transport has grown rapidly over the past few years, primarily through winning large contracts in the more profitable Final Mile division; delivering parcels from regional depots to homes and businesses for customers such as UPS, DX and Amazon.
“We are backing a strong and experienced management team. The £500,000 investment will support the significant growth of the business by funding the working capital requirement as the business continues to grow.”
