Spreading the Joy of Easter! 

This Easter, we were proud to donate a special selection of chocolate Easter Eggs to two incredible charities who do life-changing work for children and families: The Peter Pan Centre for Children with Special Needs and Home-Start Essex.

The Peter Pan Centre for Children with Special Needs supports children with special educational needs, helping little ones reach their full potential through tailored learning and care in a nurturing environment.

Home-Start Essex. provides vital support to families facing challenging times, offering practical help, emotional support, and a friendly face when it’s needed most. The Easter Egg donations for Home-Start Essex. were given to children under the age of five who otherwise wouldn’t receive an egg this Easter, helping to make their day a little brighter and more joyful.

A huge thank you to our amazing staff who generously donated Easter Eggs and helped bring big smiles to little faces. Your kindness truly makes a difference!

At Simarco International Ltd, giving back is part of who we are. From festive donations to ongoing fundraising efforts, we’re passionate about supporting the communities we serve.

Wishing everyone a joyful and chocolate-filled Easter!

⚽ Exciting News! We’re Extending Our Sponsorship with Witham Town Football Club!

We’re thrilled to announce that we’ve extended our partnership with Witham Town Football Club for another two years! After four fantastic years of support, we’re proud to continue sponsoring this incredible club and its impact on the local community.

Simarco Stadium, home of Witham Town Football Club, is part of the Essex County Grass Roots Moving Forward Strategy, helping non-professional clubs like Witham Town Football Club provide a safe, fun, and inclusive football environment for everyone.

Our partnership has helped the club grow year on year, ensuring it remains at the heart of the local community while providing an enjoyable and welcoming space for players of all ages.

Matchdays are a community favourite, and the club also hosts fantastic events, like our charity quiz nights. None of this would be possible without the dedicated volunteers who make Witham Town Football Club what it is today!

Club Chairman, Mark Nicholls said, “On behalf of Witham Town Football Club, I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Simarco International Ltd for their generous support of our football club along with Managing Director, Trevor Scott. Your commitment to local sports and the community is truly appreciated, and we are grateful for your partnership. Your support makes a real difference.

We’re delighted to have a national company like Simarco International Ltd continue their support for Witham Town Football Club, a club dedicated to giving back to the local community!”

Managing Director, Trevor Scott said, “We are thrilled to announce that we are renewing our sponsorship of Witham Town Football Club for another two years! After four fantastic years of partnership, we remain committed to supporting not just the team, but also the incredible work they do within the local community.

Witham Town Football Club continues to shine both on and off the pitch, championing social inclusion, grassroots football, and local charity initiatives. Their dedication to making a positive impact is truly inspiring, and we are proud to stand alongside them as they grow and thrive”.

Here’s to another two years of football, fun, and community spirit!

We’re thrilled to introduce a brand-new fleet of forklift trucks at our Stoke-on-Trent and Crittall Road warehouse sites! 🚜✨

Upgrading to the latest and most efficient equipment means enhanced performance, safety, and reliability – keeping our operations running at full speed!

Big thanks to our teams who keep things moving every day!

Windsor Framework Update: New Arrangements from May 2025

From 1 May 2025, new processes will take effect for moving goods from Great Britain to Northern Ireland under the Windsor Framework. Key updates include:

✔ Internal Market Movement Information (IMMI)
✔ Trader Goods Profile (TGP)
✔ UK Internal Market Scheme (UKIMS)

To ensure smooth movement, traders must provide key details such as commodity codes, EORI numbers, country of origin and item values to their hauliers.

For guidance, please visit GOV.UK or contact the Trader Support Service (TSS). 📞 0300 322 9434

Click here for further information ➡️ Sending parcels between Great Britain and Northern Ireland under the Windsor Framework – GOV.UK

Last week our amazing Simarco colleagues got their thinking caps on for a fun filled ‘Guess the Baby’ competition in support of Comic Relief’s 40th Red Nose Day! From adorable baby photos to plenty of laughs, it was all in good spirit for an incredible cause.

Fundraising and supporting our charitable partnerships are a core part of our company values, and together, we continue to raise essential funds to make a positive impact on lives worldwide!

A huge thank you to everyone who participated and donated! Stay tuned for more fundraising fun and keep supporting the cause!

Celebrating International Women’s Day: Catherine’s 26-Year Journey in Logistics

In celebration of tomorrow’s International Women’s Day, we had the pleasure of interviewing our Strategic Account Manager, Catherine, to highlight her impressive 26 years in the logistics industry!
From Quality Management to miniature Schnauzers let’s look at her journey at Simarco…

How long have you worked at Simarco?

I have been with Simarco for 26 years, and it has been an incredible journey of growth and change.

Can you share an overview of your career journey at Simarco, including the roles you’ve held and the departments you’ve worked in?

I started in the European Operations department, handling both exports and imports. After some time, I was given the opportunity to establish the Administration department, which started with just me and has since grown to a team of 15. I also took on ISO compliance for our Crittall Road site and held the position of Administration and Quality Manager. Wanting a new challenge, I transitioned into my current role as Strategic Account Manager in May 2024, where I now manage key customers.

What personal goals and interests have you achieved in your personal life over the period you have worked at Simarco.

During my time at Simarco, I have travelled, visiting places including Honduras and Brazil, I am focused on my physical wellbeing, I exercise regularly, also have a deep interest in animals, especially our black and silver miniature Schnauzers, this promotes many happy cross country walks.

How do you think our workplace supports gender equality?

Simarco has given me the opportunity to step into new and challenging roles throughout my career. From building a department from scratch to now managing key accounts and overseeing sea freight operations, I’ve always been encouraged to grow and develop my skills.

What’s one-way women have positively influenced your professional journey?

My mum always made me believe women can do anything they put their minds to given the opportunity.

If you could implement one company-wide initiative to empower women, what would it be?

I would introduce a mentorship program, specifically designed to connect female employees with senior female leaders across different departments, providing targeted career development guidance and opportunities for sponsorship; this would address the gender gap in leadership roles by actively supporting women’s advancement within the organisation.

If you could swap lives with a famous woman for a day, who would it be?

Dian Fossey!

What are some small but meaningful actions that leaders can take to support women in the workplace?

Leaders can encourage women to take on new challenges, actively recognise their contributions, and ensure that opportunities for career growth are equally accessible.

Have you ever had a female mentor or leader who made a significant impact on your career? What did you learn from them?

Looking back, there was one woman when I first started in logistics, who took me under her wing and mentored me, she always used to say to me that I could go far and she was always pushing me out of my comfort zone. I think it was then that I realised the possibilities of progression.

What advice would you give to women looking to advance their careers?

Don’t be afraid to take on new challenges, even if they push you outside of your comfort zone. My career has evolved in ways I didn’t expect, from administration to strategic account management and now overseeing sea freight operations. Each new opportunity has helped me grow, and saying ‘yes’ to challenges has been key to my success no matter how scary it might sound.

What does ‘empowering women at work’ look like to you?

It means giving women the same opportunities for growth and leadership, supporting them in their ambitions, and ensuring their voices are heard.

Have you noticed any positive changes in gender equality at work over the years? What still needs improvement?

Logistics has always been a very male dominated industry, and it still is, but there have been noticeable positive changes, including more women in leadership roles, but in my opinion still not enough, I think women need to step forward and believe in themselves but there also needs to be the recognition of skillset no matter the gender.

Get to Know Steve: New Transport Manager at Stoke-on-Trent Depot in a Quick-Fire Interview

We’re excited to introduce Steve, our new Transport Manager based at our Stoke-on-Trent depot!

With his expertise and passion for logistics, Steve is ready to keep things moving smoothly and efficiently.
Come and join us in getting to know Steve in this fast-paced quick-fire interview!

Tell us about your background and how long you have worked in the industry?

I have worked in transport / logistics since the mid 1990’s, working for large companies in the dairy, logistics and car parts industry.

Can you describe your day-to-day responsibilities as a transport manager?

Putting it simply, to deliver and collect everything in full, on time, safely and legally compliant.

If you could drive any vehicle in the world for a day, what would it be?

I have two, I love all things Aston Martin so a silver DB5 (the first Bond car) or a black or silver mark 1 Golf GTI – my dream everyday car.

What’s the most memorable thing you’ve ever had to transport?

Delivering a stationary order for her majesty to Sandringham in Norfolk.

If your fleet could have a theme song, what would it be?

‘A question of time’ by Depeche Mode because when it comes to transport and logistics it is a question of time very often.

Imagine you’re designing the ultimate transport manager’s dream office – what’s in it?

An all seeing and hearing command centre a bit like NASA.

What’s one thing about transport management that would surprise most people?

It’s very rare you can say I’ve done everything because there is always something to do.

What’s your personal “golden rule” for a smooth-running transport operation?

Always have a plan B and in some cases a plan C and D! Transport isn’t and never will be an exact science, and always where possible plan as much as you can.

If you could have any superpower to help with transport management, what would it be?

Being able to predict the future because in transport things can change in a split second.

Reducing Our Carbon Footprint with Ecologi!

Sustainability is at the heart of everything we do. Through our partnership with Ecologi, we’re proud to have helped avoid 249 tonnes of CO₂e emissions – a significant step towards a greener future!

By supporting vital climate projects worldwide, we’re making a real difference. Our contributions have helped reduce methane emissions from landfills in Brazil and restore crucial peatlands in Indonesia – both critical for cutting greenhouse gases and protecting ecosystems.

To put this impact into perspective, our emissions savings are equivalent to preventing 191 long-haul flights, preserving 747 square meters of sea ice or the emissions of 617,670 miles driven in a car. Every effort counts in the fight against climate change, and we’re committed to doing our part.

Sustainability in logistics isn’t just a goal—it’s a responsibility. We will continue investing in eco-friendly initiatives and driving positive change across the supply chain. Together, we can build a cleaner, healthier planet for future generations!

Shaping tomorrow’s talent

Last week, our Recruitment lead, Karen, had the honour of participating in the Year 11 Mock Interviews at Maltings Academy, Witham. This wonderful event was designed to provide students with a glimpse into the formal application process for colleges, further education, apprenticeships, and part-time jobs.

Karen volunteered to represent Simarco, providing insightful tips and guidance to students seeking Retail Assistant positions with a prominent high-street retailer. The session covered a variety of both general and detailed interview questions, as well as vital skills such as personal presentation, CV writing and creating effective cover letters.

Karen said, “I was incredibly impressed by the local students. Once they overcame their initial nerves and uncertainty about what to expect, they delivered brilliant responses. Hopefully, this experience has given them a glimpse of what an interview entails – whether it’s for a full-time position, an apprenticeship, or a Saturday job – and will help them succeed in their chosen careers!”

Team Simarco is immensely proud to support our local community and contribute to shaping the future workforce.

Follow us on social media for all latest news and events!

We would like to give a very warm welcome to James, our new Business Development Manager. James joins us with a wealth of experience in logistics account management and will be a great addition to our fantastic sales team.

From chocolate filled waffles to European road freight, James joins us for a quick-fire interview.

Tell us about your career background and the experiences you bring to Simarco.

Like most people, I didn’t plan on a life in Logistics: unbelievably, I have now been in the industry for over 10 years! 

I began my journey in 2014 as a Sea Freight Account Manager before I took the leap and enjoyed six years as a Senior Road Freight Account Manager working with SME’s through to large blue-chip companies across multiple verticals at a large freight forwarding company.

The post-Brexit boom was great for all of us, but once the dust settled, we were no longer able to offer the service our client’s expected, so I felt it was time to move on. 

I then joined a logistics company in 2022, using my experience to grow their existing client base, whilst developing new business opportunities.

After a turbulent year focusing on Air and Sea business, I am excited to join Simarco with a renewed focus on European Road freight.

What are you looking forward to the most in your new role?

I am looking forward to being able to utilise our own services, which is a massive asset following my most recent roles, where we were reliant on our external partners. 

What’s the best thing about your career choice?

Having dabbled with Air and Sea freight development, I am excited to return to my roots, focusing on European road freight.

Tell us about your hobbies and what you enjoy doing outside of work.

In 2025 I will taking part in my 5^th Wolf Run event, along with my second skydive!  I am also a big Aston Villa fan, so follow the team as much as possible.

If you were a dessert, what would you be and why?

I’d be a Waffle with Strawberries and Chocolate ice cream:

Waffle: Work in Sales so love to talk!

Strawberries: Sweet success of Sales.

Chocolate Ice Cream: Best in small doses

Team Simarco wishes James all the best in his new role.