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Tag: Europa Worldwide

Transport Managers Want One System or Platform

Posted on by David Priestman

Research conducted by transport technology solutions provider, Microlise, has revealed that transport and fleet managers face major challenges in improving operational efficiency when using multiple, disparate systems.

76% of respondents to a recent survey said that they either use, or had used, several different programmes to manage their logistics or supply chain fleets. The same respondents were also unequivocal in their opinion: they would prefer to use just one, unified system. The same research found that almost 70% of those questioned agreed with the statement: “Relying on several different systems makes my job more complex than it needs to be”.

One such logistics firm that was using several different platforms to manage their fleet’s complex operations was Europa Worldwide Group. The company has 1,300 employees working from 26+ locations around the globe, with its European operation of 30 HGVs and 500 trailers visits 10,000 delivery locations, resulting in up to 2,400 deliveries per day. In 2024 alone, their drivers travelled almost 1.8m miles.

Each element of Europa’s tracking was hosted on a different platform, some of which were manual and needed to be brought together. Unsafe driving cost the company £238,000 in at-fault accident pay outs in 2023, and idling was revealed to have cost £900 per month in January 2024 with fuel efficiency at 10.77mpg. Around 90% of their drivers were in the ‘High’ or ‘Very High risk’ category of driver performance.

Implementation of a unified system has allowed Europa to analyse route performance and full shipment tracking – including proof of delivery – all within the same interface.

Using their fully integrated telematics platform, Europa have significantly improved driver safety with 99% of their drivers now in the ‘Low’ or ‘Very Low risk’ category. The cost of at-fault accident pay-outs has decreased by more than 65%, as per-truck accident costs went down from £375 to £225 post implementation. Idling now costs £650 per month less than before and fuel consumption is up to 12.05mpg.

“We have faith in a system that is multi-faceted. Our drivers are doing their jobs to far higher standards and the margin for error from manually plotting MOTs and services is eliminated. We can make the daily walkaround checks focus on the elements we choose and filter those that need rectifying. We would highly recommend a unified platform,” said Europa’s General Manager for Transport, Malcolm Castle.

Nadeem Raza, Microlise’s CEO, commented: “Europa’s success shows just how powerful a unified fleet management platform can be. As the logistics industry grows and pressures mount, businesses need smarter tools that can keep up. A single, integrated system doesn’t just streamline operations, it lifts a huge weight off transport managers, helping to improve job satisfaction and reduce burnout. The companies that thrive will be the ones acting now to support their teams and stay ahead of rising demands.”

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Warehouse Secures AA Standard Accreditation

Posted on by David Priestman

3PL fulfilment specialist Europa Warehouse, in Corby, UK, has boosted its credentials having been awarded AA accreditation, the highest rating, from the Brand Reputation Compliance Global Standard (BRCGS). This accreditation covers the storage of food and non-food packaging, packaging materials, and consumer products.

The globally recognised accreditation, (part of the British Retail Consortium, the go-to trade association for all UK retailers), marks the latest step in Europa’s warehouse investment programme, ensuring compliance for its retail, e-commerce, and wholesale customers.

This gold standard AA accreditation is a mark of assurance, demonstrating to customers that the highest standards are adhered to in the storage and distribution across the supply chain, providing peace of mind for customers who entrust their goods with Europa Warehouse. It is one of the most prestigious accolades in logistics, providing a framework for managing product safety, integrity, quality, and operational controls.

Dionne Redpath, Chief Operating Officer and Warehouse Divisional Director at Europa Worldwide Group, comments: “The latest accreditation reflects our determination to provide our customers with a complete supply chain management solution that delivers business objectives. Having undergone the rigorous audit process required we are delighted to join an elite group of certified global suppliers. This accreditation covers the storage of food and non-food packaging, packaging materials and consumer products – demonstrating our commitment to creating and manufacturing a process of well-designed risk-based product safety management systems.”

The BRCGS is one of the most important industry accreditations, providing the most effective way of showcasing the high standards enforced by the Europa Warehouse team in Corby, and the dedication the senior team has to improve and train their workforce.

Redpath continued: “This shows we meet the highest standards required and that we work to support customers, continually investing in the development of our services to deliver the highest quality.”

Jon Margetts, Head of Facilities & Health & Safety at Europa Warehouse added. “We are pleased to have received the highest British Retail Consortium certification for our Corby warehouse which reflects our continued commitment to customers.”

Europa Warehouse’s £60m Corby facility is capable of storing up to 100,000 pallets and processing up to 50,000 units of goods per day through its £11m automation system. Europa’s total combined portfolio in Dartford, Birmingham, and Corby, offers over 1 million sq. ft of dedicated warehouse and logistics space and are now fully authorised customs warehouses for both wet and dry goods.

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Beat the Clock for Time Critical Cargo

Posted on by Keith McKinley

The Antonov 124, one of the largest commercial aircrafts in the world, was recently chartered by air freight operator Europa Air & Sea to move time-critical cargo from the UK to the UAE. The AN-124 is capable of carrying up 120 tonnes at take-off.

Europa’s Air & Sea division, which has specialist teams both in the UAE (established in Dubai in 2022) and the UK, managed the cargo from point of pick up to point of delivery, for one of the UK’s leading hydraulics manufacturers. The Antonov touched down at 1.30am local time on 18 April bringing the complex project and flight to a successful close, albeit against the largest storms recorded in UAE since records began.

Due to the sheer size of the cargo, Europa had to not only charter this very specific aircraft but organise and manage the permits necessary for domestic haulage. The cargo had to undergo complex customs clearance processes for export to its UAE end-user and was extremely time critical. Having previously experienced delays of up to three weeks due to these complexities, the customer sought out Europa Air & Sea with its customs infrastructure in Dubai and the UK to successfully clear the cargo within hours of landing, contributing to the seamless movement between customer and end-user.

Kevin Perry (pictured), Europa Air & Sea’s UK based Airfreight Operations Manager personally oversaw the project at East Midlands Airport (EMA). “This was a challenging project due to both its scale and timeliness, but the weather added another layer of complexity. Despite this we were delighted to be able to deliver this time critical cargo. This is the perfect example of how with our expertise and infrastructure, regardless of the size or timeframes we can guarantee a seamless movement of goods.”

Kevin Perry with the Antonov An124 heavy transport aircraft at East Midlands Airport, with the Europa load of hydraulic pump unit made at Great Yarmouth and being shipped to Dubai for the oil industry, 17th April, 2024.
Photo by John Robertson.

Nathan Lynn, General Manager for Europa & Air Sea Dubai, added, “Projects like this require extraordinary planning, and the knowledge, experience and commitment of experts in both the UK and the UAE. The fact that Europa has its own teams in both locations meant that, despite all of the complexities, we were able to successfully manage the cargo from point of pick up to point of delivery.”

EMA’s Commercial Director Chris Lane said: “We were delighted to once again welcome the Antonov to East Midlands Airport and facilitate it on its way to Dubai. Our unrivalled cargo operation is fully geared up to take more chartered flights like this and we know that cargo carriers are pleased with the level of service, expertise and facilities we offer. Our strategic central location and fewer restrictions than many other airports make us a top choice for companies seeking to trade seamlessly across the globe, and we would be very happy to work with Europa again in the future.”

The UAE logistics sector has outperformed many other sectors and is seen as an important part of the country’s economic diversification. As both the freight and logistics market continues to grow in line with economic growth and expansion of the region Business Research Insights predicts this will lead to a continued increase in demand for project cargo expertise in the coming years.

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Europa Air & Sea Reaches New Heights

Posted on by Keith McKinley

Europa Air & Sea has invested in two new leadership roles as it expands its services for businesses based in the UK. Europa Air & Sea is part of Europa Worldwide Group, an ambitious independent UK-headquartered logistics provider, that is setting the pace in the market and supporting customers at a time of rapid change.

With over 100 staff globally, and offices in Hong Kong, Shanghai, Dubai, Shenzhen and Delhi, two new leaders are helping establish Europa Air & Sea as one of the fastest growing air and sea freight providers.

After investing in its UK operation last year with the appointment of its first General Manager for the UK & Ireland, Miles O’Donnell, Europa Air & Sea continues to progress. Miles comments: “Globally there are numerous issues impacting our industry, from the hostilities in the Red Sea, inflation costs and the lasting impact of the conflict in the Ukraine. In the face of these external pressures, it is vital to have the right infrastructure and team. We’re optimistic about the times ahead as we strengthen our team and restructure to ensure we are offering the very best service to our valued customers.”

The most recent development includes the appointment of Vicky Armitage (pictured) who, with more than 13 years’ experience in the industry, is well-positioned to take the company’s sea freight services and customer experience to the next level. With the ongoing situation in the Red Sea, this has never been more important. Vicky joins as Sea Freight Operations Manager, for the UK & Ireland, and will be based in Birmingham.

Armitage comments: “I’m excited to have joined Europa Air & Sea – a division that has experienced such impressive growth, innovation, and investment over the past few years.

“I have worked within the industry for over a decade now, starting at a junior level and working my way up, so Europa really felt like the perfect next step for me. I’ve watched the company’s growth from afar over the past 10 years, so when the opportunity came up, I just had to take it. Being part of a highly ambitious, well-known logistics specialist is a real honour. This is a real time of development for the Europa Air & Sea division, and I am pleased to be a part of this next chapter.”

Kevin Perry has been with Europa for 18 years and has now expanded his portfolio becoming Air Freight Operations Manager, for the UK & Ireland, based in Heathrow. With extensive Europa experience, he is an invaluable asset to the air & sea division and is now perfectly positioned to lead the company’s dedicated, knowledgeable, and experienced air freight operational teams to ensure that British businesses benefit from the highest quality services at competitive prices.

Perry added: “I started with Europa Air & Sea at the age of 16 as an Export Junior and since then, the company has supported me through the ranks. I am a proud part of Europa and have witnessed the development and investment the company makes into each of its employees, creating a knowledgeable and driven workforce. We have a really strong team; we’re focused and united – qualities which are nurtured by the wider business – so I really look forward to our next chapter of innovation.”

The global air and sea freight industry continues to face unpredictable challenges but with a strengthened leadership team, Europa Air & Sea plans to prosper. As post-pandemic strategies come to fruition four years on, the air freight industry in particular predicts a transformative year ahead.

As well as a growing global footprint, over the past two years, the company has embedded at least one Air & Sea business development manager at every local site throughout the UK and Ireland. This has brought specialist air and sea freight expertise closer to customers, ensuring they receive a dedicated, knowledgeable and efficient service.

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Investment Pays Off, Calmest Peak for 3PL

Posted on by Keith McKinley

Specialist 3PL fulfilment provider Europa Warehouse has reported a 45 per cent increase in total orders picked in December 2023* across its 3PL sites.

Despite this increase, its facilities in Birmingham, Corby, and Dartford – which offer over one million sq. ft combined of dedicated warehouse and logistics space – operated without the usual stress and pressure associated with “peak”.

Notwithstanding continued economic challenges, there was a rise in consumer spending across the period which, supported by figures from Retail Economics, accounted for £202bn worth of global sales online and a 3.7 per cent increase in the UK.

While sales during the 2023 peak season in the UK might be less pronounced in comparison to previous years, the increase in order volumes still puts a huge pressure on 3PL services. Due to Europa’s £70m investment in its logistics operations over recent years, including £11m in shared user automation this peak period was the most efficient of any recent years’ peaks.

Dionne Redpath (pictured), Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Head of Warehouse at Europa Worldwide Group said: “Shopping habits are ever evolving, but we have invested heavily to alleviate the strain on our e-commerce, retail and wholesale customers. As well as investing in new equipment and processes and having restructured in recent months we’ve augmented our approach with customer and consumer experience at heart. Our focus has been to enable customers to meet or exceed their sales targets, allowing them to maximise revenues whilst ensuring exceptionally high levels of quality and satisfaction.”

To make it easier for customers to scale up and achieve seamless fulfilment, Europa Warehouse identified the importance of implementing strategies to drive innovation in order fulfilment.

“We appreciate that our customers need to cost-effectively scale up and down at pace, while delivering an efficient service for their customers. Our overarching objective is to deliver a peak which doesn’t feel like peak at all. During seasonal peaks, e-commerce and retail brands face upsetting their own status quo: with the significant upturn in sales activity creating volatility and complexity resulting in what can be an inefficient, often-chaotic order fulfilment process. It’s the time of year businesses are more likely to experience costly mispicks, delays to dispatch and higher than normal return rates.”

Europa Warehouse is the 3PL division of Europa Worldwide Group, and one of only a few operators in the UK offering a shared-user automated picking system. Designed for products that are able to be stored in totes, which Europa refer to as ‘toteable’, the system is ideal for clients who operate with a large SKU range and a complex, volatile order profile, often requiring operations to dramatically scale up and down within a short period of time.

Redpath explains: “With robust quality control processes to prevent picking errors, thus reducing cost, a shared-user system can be quickly scaled up or down to meet fluctuating demand. In turn, this allows for accurate financial modelling because of the high level of predictability. For peak planning, this is crucial to ensure a seamless supply chain from start to finish whilst not blowing budgets.”

Calmest Peak for 3PL
Calmest Peak for 3PL

In 2023, Europa’s portfolio of warehouses picked 78.8 million units through its automated and manual fulfilment operations – regularly scaling up to 280,000 individual picks in a 24 hour period. Shared-user automation contributed towards this, allowing for regular scaling from 40 to 100,000 picks from one day to the next. The ability to scale in this way within automation is what makes it such a cost-effective solution. The ability to scale in a similar way in a manual environment is far more complex, requiring significantly more labour at a time of year when labour is at a premium. In the automated environment, those headaches simply don’t exist.

The combination of Europa’s most recent investment in its systems and automated fulfilment technology and processes allows e-commerce brands to optimise resources, simplify operational models and capitalise on the sales and growth opportunities afforded by the peak season.

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