SIMARCO AIR FREIGHT TAKES OFF AFTER SUCCESSFUL DOUBLE ACQUISITION

20/11/2018

 

One of the UK’s leading independent logistics firms has announced that the acquisition of two of the country’s other specialist operators has boosted its volume of air freight.

Simarco Worldwide has reported a six per cent rise in air freight in the 12 months since tying up deals to buy Heathrow-based Formula Goss International (FGI) and Sutch and Searle.

Simarco co-founder and CEO, Simon Reed, explained that a successful integration of the two companies had enabled the company to make its air freight operations even more efficient.

 

However, Mr Reed said that had allowed Simarco to invest in the service, something which his firm was now reaping the rewards of.

“Taking over any company, even two such well-established freight and logistics firms, can be a tremendous challenge.

“Before we had agreed the acquisitions, though, we had a clear idea of what we wanted to do and how we might best consolidate our in-house air freight expertise with the experience of both FGI and Sutch and Searle.

“I’m delighted to say that the hard work of everyone involved in this comprehensive restructuring has paid off.

“Even allowing for the fact that administrative work has taken some time to complete, we have managed to make savings and generate considerable high volume and high value new business in the 12 months since, as well as being able to recruit extra staff as the division takes off.

“Having seen air freight sales rise to more than £4.5 million in the last year, we believe that the performance thoroughly vindicates our initial decision and bodes very well for the future.”

Mr Reed said that the acquisitions and subsequent integration had added “genuine momentum” to Simarco’s ambitions of being a ‘full-service’ freight firm.

He added that it enabled Simarco to consolidate services of three companies into a single unit at Heathrow, which offered operational efficiency as well as a simplified back-office structure.

Prior to the deals, Simarco had not maintained a physical presence at the airport, having run its own air freight operations from its home depot at Witham, in Essex, and at Stoke-on-Trent. 

Mr Reed described how Simarco had also been able to increase the size of the air freight team to 15, including the appointment of a new Head of Air Freight, Karl Parker.

He joins after two decades working for some of the world’s leading air freight specialists, most recently Hellmann Worldwide, Panalpina, UTi Worldwide and DHL.

“We are a leaner but even more robust business as a result of the acquisitions,” said Mr Reed.

“In addition to our acknowledged global capabilities by road and sea, if clients also need a truly fast and flexible air freight solution, we are now able to offer that as well.”