Freight handler set for expansion after strong year

Freight handler Europa air & sea has announced plans to expand its Birmingham operation following a strong 2016 which saw the company win new business and increase sales from its existing customers.

Europa Air achieved its highest recorded volume during Q4 of 2016, while Europa Sea saw double digit growth on its year on year revenue last year.  

The expansion includes plans to grow the company’s sales force by 50%.

It currently has a sales team of 10, split between operations at Heathrow (air) and Birmingham (sea). This will expand to 15 in order to support its larger client base and to maintain customer service levels.

Angus Hind, director, said: “We have ambitious plans to expand our air and sea division this year on the back of a record year of growth in 2016.

 “I believe our success is due to the team’s exceptional understanding of the sector and their commitment to be swift, efficient, flexible and proactive in their delivery of services to clients.”

The expansion follows Europa’s investment in new, larger offices for its air freight division in Heathrow last year, which provided a 60% increase in capacity.

Mr Hind said that despite challenging economic conditions and the initial uncertainty associated with Brexit, his air team had taken advantage of the potential offered by its new premises and continued to see steady demand for its services with no sign of let up going in to 2017.

“2016 was a pivotal year for the UK economy. Amidst discussion of what it might mean if we leave the single market and debate about how we will continue to work effectively with EU countries post Brexit, my team took a ‘business as usual’ approach which has seen us come through a period of change without disruption,” he said.

“As a result, we need to grow our sales team in order to cope with increased demand for our services, ensuring we keep an eye on the bigger picture post Brexit – in which we are forecasting an increase in exporting.

“The sector is buoyant and the mood we are gauging from clients is one of opportunity and optimism – so we predict 2017 will be another year of growth and success for Europa air and sea.”