2 August, 2021

XPO completes logistics spin-off

Posted on 2 August, 202131 July, 2025 by David Priestman

XPO Logistics has announced that as of today (2nd August 2021) its new slate of directors has become effective with the closing of its spin-off transaction. XPO completed the spin-off of its global logistics segment as GXO Logistics at 00:01 Eastern Time (06.00 CEST).

As previously announced, Brad Jacobs, XPO’s chief executive officer, will continue as chairman. AnnaMaria DeSalva and Michael Jesselson will remain in the roles of vice chairman and lead independent director, respectively, and Adrian Kingshott will continue to serve as director.

XPO has appointed four new board members, replacing directors who resigned from the XPO board to join the GXO board. The new XPO directors are:

Jason Aiken, chief financial officer of General Dynamics Corporation, and former chief financial officer of Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, a General Dynamics subsidiary.

Mary Kissel, executive vice president and senior policy advisor with Stephens Inc., former senior advisor to the US Secretary of State, and formerly with The Wall Street Journal as a member of the Editorial Board and editorial page editor for Asia-Pacific.

Allison Landry, former senior transportation research analyst with Credit Suisse, covering the trucking, railroad, airfreight and logistics industries.

Johnny C. Taylor, Jr., chief executive officer of the Society of Human Resources Management (SHRM), and former senior executive with IAC/Interactive Corp, Viacom’s Paramount Pictures and Blockbuster Entertainment Group, among others.

Brad Jacobs, chairman and chief executive officer of XPO Logistics, said: “We’ve added four outstanding independent directors to the wealth of experience we retained following the spin-off. This is our most diverse board composition yet, with an emphasis on the financial, cultural and market opportunities of our business. Our growth strategy will have powerful support.”

XPO completes logistics spin-off

Posted on 2 August, 2021 by David Priestman

XPO has appointed four new board members, replacing directors who resigned from the XPO board to join the GXO board. The new XPO directors are:

Jason Aiken, chief financial officer of General Dynamics Corporation, and former chief financial officer of Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, a General Dynamics subsidiary.

Allison Landry, former senior transportation research analyst with Credit Suisse, covering the trucking, railroad, airfreight and logistics industries.

Trans UK Logistics opens new London depot

Posted on 2 August, 2021 by Keith McKinley

Trans UK Logistics, part of The APC delivery network has opened a new operational parcel depot at Astbury Business Park in South London. The opening comes following significant growth for the business – having recorded a 42% year-on-year growth in deliveries – spurred by a continued surge in online shopping across London.

The new depot provides 10,000 sq ft of premium warehouse space – an increase of 4,000 sq ft compared with the previous site – as well as 18,000 sq ft of privately gated yard space. This additional space will allow the company to expand its Overnight, Sameday and International parcel collection and delivery service offerings to local businesses across the SE1, SE3-27 and SW2, 4, 8, 9, 11, 12 and 16 postcodes.

Additionally, the increased space will allow Trans UK Logistics to offer storage, pick and pack, and fulfilment facilities, supporting growth of these local businesses, and through the nationwide coverage of The APC delivery network, enabling them to reach an ever expanding national customer base.

Richard Woods (pictured on right of image), Managing Director at Trans UK Logistics, said: “When we took over the business back in 2019, we never anticipated that we would quickly grow to become one of the top delivery depots within The APC network. All of our staff have worked relentlessly to support this growth, and that of our customers. Despite the challenges faced through the pandemic, we’re proud to see that so many of our SME customers across the local area have thrived and really proven their resilience and entrepreneurialism.

“We know how important it is for our customers to have us at their side at every step of the delivery process, especially as they’ve had to adapt and evolve in recent months. We want to contribute positively to local businesses, providing them with improved service options through our new depot, and doing the hard work when it comes to the delivery process, so they can concentrate on their own growth and success.”

Today, Trans UK Logistics has an employed workforce of over 25 across the business and is currently recruiting for staff across customer service and warehouse roles, as well as drivers, to support continued demand from the region’s thriving SME community.

Across the region, Trans UK Logistics’ top 20 customers have achieved an average year-on-year growth of 52%. Among these customers, the food and drink sector has shown the most significant growth as consumers have found new ways of sourcing products they depend on through the pandemic, and in turn many SMEs have quickly adapted their business models to meet these demands.

One example of this is local business, North and South Wines, which supplies premium wines for restaurants and retailers throughout the UK. Following the restrictions placed on the hospitality sector during last year’s lockdown, North and South Wines quickly adapted its business model and increased its online presence to support changes in consumer shopping habits.

As a result of this agility, the business saw a surge in orders from an average of just 200 consignments a month to over 2,000 consignments a month. The success of this investment in ecommerce has meant the business continues to grow even as lockdown measures have been lifted, and thanks to the delivery service provided by Trans UK Logistics, the business now supplies a growing customer base across the region and the rest of the UK.

Jonathan Smith, Chief Executive at APC Overnight, said: “The strength and resilience of the UK’s SMEs throughout the pandemic has really shone through across The APC network. Even now, as the final lockdown restrictions are lifted, we are still seeing high demand for delivery services. Shopping habits have changed, with consumers continuing to shop online and businesses consequently still relying on carriers to get these items delivered.

“The ongoing dedication and hard work of our colleagues at Trans UK Logistics will be key to supporting this, ensuring that the needs of customers are recognised, and working closely with them to ensure those needs are met.”

Trans UK Logistics opens new London depot

Posted on 2 August, 2021 by David Priestman

Extor expands business area

Posted on 2 August, 2021 by Keith McKinley

Extor GmbH has already successfully established itself in tyre logistics with the RoverLog stacker cranes. Now the company wants to set new impulses in micro fulfilment and in the entire intralogistics with its clever storage systems.

More and more companies are opting for the introduction of automated systems in intralogistics. Extor’s RoverLog system offers warehouse solutions for goods with high turnover rates and low logistics margins. The Hanover-based company was founded in 2016 as a subsidiary of the online tyre retailer Delticom in order to develop an individual and intelligent solution for in-house tyre storage and logistics.

The basic idea behind the RoverLog system was to store large-volume goods in a space-saving, automated, flexible and cost-effective manner in the smallest of spaces. It was introduced as an alternative to the storage and picking infrastructure for tyres that previously had to be transported to their destination via conveyor belts or picked with forklifts.

Jörn von der Lippe, managing director of Extor GmbH, has now taken over all of the company’s shares from the parent company and was able to gain NBank as a further shareholder, which now holds 15% of the shares.

“The idea and implementation of the RoverLog concept is so good and so successful that we are growing and want to transfer it to other areas,” confirms the robotics specialist and business economist von der Lippe. The concept is unique in many areas and has some advantages over comparable systems: products that can be placed in cargo containers can be seven times as large as those of the competition. In addition, the moving cars are able to travel over essentially unlimited distances within the storage system – and that with availability around the clock.

A kind of rail network runs underneath the storage areas, on which wagons move at a speed of up to 2.4m/s and through which they receive their electricity. The resulting braking and kinetic energy is reused by means of recuperation.

With the spin-off, the start-up is in a position to open up further industries and to address interested parties who have previously been in competition. The company produces small to medium-sized series itself.

“Intralogistics is in the transition from large, rigid systems to modular, flexible and data-based solutions,” confirms Martin Ranic, investment manager at NBank Capital. “Extor stands for a team with a visionary idea.”

Extor expands business area

Posted on 2 August, 2021 by David Priestman

Interroll records record growth

Posted on 2 August, 2021 by Keith McKinley

In the first half of 2021, Interroll, a leading provider of material handling solutions, reported a significant increase of 60.1% in order intake (+61.0% in local currencies) and a significant increase in earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) of +39.5% and result of +40.4%.

Order intake amounted to CHF 421.6 million (+60.1%)
Sales increased strongly to CHF 272.0 million (+16.7%)
EBIT reached CHF 45.0 million (+39.5%)
The result increased by 40.4% to CHF 33.4 million (previous year’s period: CHF 23.8 million)
The result margin reached 12.2% (previous year: 10.2%)

Positive trends from the second half of 2020 continued. Sales reached CHF 272.0 million (+16.7% compared to CHF 233.2 million in the same period of the previous year). In local currency, sales grew by 16.4%.

Order intake increased significantly by 60.1% to CHF 421.6 million (previous year: CHF 263.4 million). In local currency, the increase was even slightly better at 61.0%.

Interroll again succeeded in increasing EBIT at a disproportionately high rate of 39.5% to CHF 45.0 million (previous period: CHF 32.3 million).

“In the first half of 2021, Interroll recorded record growth in order intake, EBIT and profit,” says Ingo Steinkrüger, Chief Executive Officer of Interroll Worldwide Group. “In addition to investments in technology platforms and capacities, our high cost and investment discipline also contributed to this positive result.”

At CHF 63.9 million, consolidated sales in the Rollers product group were 21.7% higher than in the previous year. All regions contributed to the growth. In terms of incoming orders, the product group recorded a strong recovery of +47.2% to CHF 79.7 million (previous-year period: CHF 54.2 million). This excellent performance was driven by highly efficient manufacturing processes and the high quality of Interroll products.

However, Interroll also proactively anticipated and exploited the potential of market trends, such as the continued strong development of e-commerce and user investments in modernisation and outsourcing to third-party logistics (3PL) providers.

Consolidated sales of the Drives product group amounted to CHF 93.2 million in the first half of 2021, up 17.8% on the previous-year period (CHF 79.1 million). Thanks to innovative products such as the EC5000 RollerDrive, which is successful in the market, consolidated order intake rose to CHF 119.6 million compared with CHF 77.4 million in the prior-year period.

The Conveyors & Sorters product group recorded consolidated sales of CHF 88.1 million in the first half of 2021, 8.9% higher than in the same period of the previous year (CHF 80.9 million). Order intake rose significantly to CHF 186.6 million, an increase of 67.4% compared to the previous year period with CHF 111.4 million.

At the end of the first half of 2021, Interroll generated consolidated revenue of CHF 26.9 million with the Pallet Handling product group, up 30.6% on the same period of the previous year (CHF 20.6 million). Consolidated order intake increased by 74.7% to CHF 35.7 million (previous year: CHF 20.4 million).

At the end of the first half, the regions accounted for 60% of total sales in Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA), 27% in the Americas, and 13% in Asia-Pacific.

In the EMEA region, consolidated sales amounted to 162.2 million, 15.7% above the previous year (CHF 140.2 million). Consolidated order intake increased by 53.3% compared to the previous year (CHF 144.2 million) and reached CHF 221.1 million. The EMEA region thus recovered strongly in the first half of 2021.

Sales in the Americas region amounted to CHF 74.5 million, 17.4% higher than in the previous year (CHF 63.5 million). With growth of 95.8% in order intake to CHF 151.3 million (previous year: CHF 77.3 million), a very strong dynamic was noticeable. New orders for sorters doubled, which also include orders for the new High-Performance Crossbelt Sorter (HPCS) and two major projects.

Interroll’s consolidated sales in the Asia-Pacific region grew by 19.8% to CHF 35.3 million (previous year: CHF 29.5 million). Order intake achieved growth of 17.3% to CHF 49.1 million (previous year: CHF 41.9 million). Rollers and RollerDrive in particular recorded an increase in demand. The sorter demand recovered strongly, but demand for conveyors declined.

Results with significant growth

At CHF 56.3 million, Interroll significantly exceeded the previous year’s level (CHF 43.5 million) by 29.3% in terms of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) in the first half of the year- The EBITDA margin increased to 20.7% (previous year: 18.7%). EBIT reached CHF 45.0 million and were 39.5% above the previous year’s figure of CHF 32.3 million. Result increased by 40.4% to CHF 33.4 million (previous year : CHF 23.8 million). The result margin reached 12.2% (previous year: 10.2%).

Gross capital expenditures amounted to CHF 32.0 million (previous year: CHF 26.0 million). Free cash flow thus decreased to CHF 5.0 million (previous year: CHF 20.0 million ). The construction of the new plant in Mosbach, southern Germany, was completed in the reporting period and the new plant in Suzhou, China, is already under construction.

Total assets increased to CHF 541.3 million by 30th June, 2021, 15.5% higher than at the end of last year’s period (CHF 468.8 million). Equity amounted to CHF 312.6 million, while the equity ratio was 57.8% (31.12.2020: 66.5%).

Operating cash flow decreased by 44.5% to CHF 25.3 million (previous year: CHF 45.6 million).

Outlook

Due to a high order backlog, the company has a positive outlook, but at the same time the situation on the raw material markets and for precursors such as semiconductors remains very tense. The company thus remains cautiously optimistic overall for the rest of the year.

Thanks to its strong market position, innovative products and dynamically growing end markets (e-commerce and courier, express, and parcel [CEP], food and beverage, and warehousing and distribution), Interroll also sees long-term growth potential.

Interroll records record growth

Posted on 2 August, 2021 by David Priestman

Order intake amounted to CHF 421.6 million (+60.1%)
Sales increased strongly to CHF 272.0 million (+16.7%)
EBIT reached CHF 45.0 million (+39.5%)
The result increased by 40.4% to CHF 33.4 million (previous year’s period: CHF 23.8 million)
The result margin reached 12.2% (previous year: 10.2%)

Order intake increased significantly by 60.1% to CHF 421.6 million (previous year: CHF 263.4 million). In local currency, the increase was even slightly better at 61.0%.

Interroll again succeeded in increasing EBIT at a disproportionately high rate of 39.5% to CHF 45.0 million (previous period: CHF 32.3 million).

At the end of the first half, the regions accounted for 60% of total sales in Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA), 27% in the Americas, and 13% in Asia-Pacific.

Results with significant growth

Operating cash flow decreased by 44.5% to CHF 25.3 million (previous year: CHF 45.6 million).

Outlook

Online event: guarding retail profitability

Posted on 2 August, 202131 July, 2025 by David Priestman

Retail margins are under increasing threat from soaring freight rates, poor carrier reliability and fluctuating demand. In response, Zencargo, the digital freight forwarder has announced a new online forum to analyse end-to-end retail profitability.

Scheduled for 14.00 BST (15.00 CET) on 12th August 2021, Guarding Profitability Through Disruption: The Retailer’s Guide is being delivered in collaboration with Louisa Hosegood, of global supply chain consultancy Bis Henderson, who formerly held senior logistic roles within Marks and Spencer and John Lewis.

The 45-minute online event comes in response to the unprecedented disruption in ocean and air freight that threatens the profitability, and even the survival, of many businesses. The event’s moderator, Zencargo co-founder and CCO Richard Fattal, explains: “The rules have completely changed, and every business needs to be keeping an eye on their bottom line profitability. It’s not just about logistics teams any more – finance, sales and data teams need to be working together to create joined up decision making that works for the whole business.

“The changes in logistics, commercial environment and social habits formed in the last 18 months will have long-lasting consequences. Consumers will be voting with their wallets based on new values, higher expectations and evolving ways of living and working. The businesses that can adapt to these changes are the ones that will be able to maintain and grow profits.”

The topics under discussion include:

Analysing and comparing the commercial environment of 2021 with recent years
Managing customer expectations through uncertainty
Calculating landed costs of goods in a volatile environment
Updating planning and execution strategies to maximise flexibility and profit

To read more about the webinar and to register, click here and save your place.

Online event: guarding retail profitability

Posted on 2 August, 2021 by David Priestman

The topics under discussion include:

Analysing and comparing the commercial environment of 2021 with recent years
Managing customer expectations through uncertainty
Calculating landed costs of goods in a volatile environment
Updating planning and execution strategies to maximise flexibility and profit

To read more about the webinar and to register, click here and save your place.

Results with significant growth

Outlook

Results with significant growth

Outlook

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