Minworth-based innovative independent logistics operator Europa Worldwide Group is on track to achieve record turnover and profits in 2021, with 2022 forecast to be even more successful. Europa’s site at Prologis Park which is home to all 140 staff and four divisions of the business, Europa Sea and Europa Showfreight as well Europa Road’s regional roadfreight team.

Europa’s growth predications follow a hugely productive year, despite the ongoing and unprecedented challenges arising from the global pandemic and Brexit.

 

Its Board is expecting to achieve a record turnover of £260 million this year, against £210m in 2020, increasing to £300 million next year. Profits are expected to be £10m in 2021, an increase of £6.4m over 2020 levels which were depressed by the global pandemic and related lockdowns.

Rob Jones, Finance Director at Europa Worldwide Group, said: “Whilst our results for 2020 were below our expectations set at the start of the year, we are extremely proud of the way our teams tackled the severe double scenarios of the Covid-19 pandemic and Brexit. Our staff were kept safe, we kept our customers freight moving and given the market conditions we can be proud of our financial results”

“As a result of the work we put in during 2020, notably our preparations for Brexit and the return to more normal “post-Covid” conditions, we are delighted with the performance in 2021 and the record levels of both turnover and profit that will be achieved.”

“This all demonstrates that Europa is a commercially resilient and forward-thinking logistics firm that can adapt quickly to unforeseen situations and changing market needs.”

Europa Worldwide Group has six divisions – Europa Road, Europa Air & Sea, Europa Showfreight, Europa Warehouse, Europa Contact Centre and Continental Cargo Carriers and has featured in The Sunday Times Top Track 250 for three years running and in The Sunday Times Profit Track 100 Covid-19 edition.  It employs more than 1,100 staff in the UK, as well as in Hong Kong, France, and Belgium.

Brexit has been a major consideration for Europa and it has remained dedicated to finding solutions for its customers. This was why the company successfully planned the unique customs product, Europa Flow, to address short-term road freight disruption arising after the transition period.

Europa Flow launched at the start of 2021, following a £5m investment into the product. It is now delivering a frictionless delivery duty paid (DDP) service with 2,000 consignments per week, easing the flow of goods between the UK and Europe and ensuring UK firms remain competitive overseas. It is one of the best import and export solutions within the market because it empowers customers and removes the hassle of customs clearance and duty payments.

The Birmingham site has seen a phenomenally high percentage of Europa Flow shipments over the past year. Latest figures show the DDP service is now delivering to over 5,000 customers in a diverse range of sectors and across 24 European Union (EU) countries. This number is growing exponentially within Birmingham as local supply chains reap the benefits of this seamless and hassle-free service.

Andrew Baxter, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at Europa Worldwide Group, said: “Despite various worldwide restrictions being imposed on the movement of goods Europa continues to trade profitably in the face of economic uncertainty and is on track.

“Our approach has always been to focus on offering the best solutions to meet our customers’ needs, fortitude and dedication in adversity, maintaining the highest levels of service. I am incredibly proud of our staff and look forward to collaborating with them as we get our growth plans on track and strive to hit our ambitious £400m turnover target.”

“The past 18 months has certainly been challenging for the company, particularly due to the pandemic, with all exhibitions and events cancelled and fewer planes in the air for much of 2020, but our teams have already bounced back strongly”

In addition, Europa pressed ahead with the construction of its new £60m state-of-the-art third-party logistics (3pl) warehouse in Northamptonshire to double its logistics capacity. Not only was the build of this fully automated, super-sized facility completed during lockdown, it was also operationalised in June 2020 at the height of the e-commerce boom.