Business

UK logistics firm, Europa invests in new Belfast freight link with Europe

Pictured at the new Europa Belfast office are: Dan Rodgers, branch manager and Dionne Redpath, branch network and sales director.
Pictured at the new Europa Belfast office are: Dan Rodgers, branch manager and Dionne Redpath, branch network and sales director. Pictured at the new Europa Belfast office are: Dan Rodgers, branch manager and Dionne Redpath, branch network and sales director.

A LEADING UK logistics operator has announced a major expansion into Northern Ireland through a Belfast-base daily freight service connecting local business with mainland Europe.

Europa Road, the European road freight division of the Europa Worldwide Group, will provide daily round-trip line haul services from

Belfast to Europe via the company's £30 million hub facility in Dartford, England. The major investment will also be partly delivered by Fermanagh transport and logistics firm, Liam Connolly, with the family-run business acting as distribution partner for the new service.

The Europa expansion is the company's first foray into the north and will help drive the success of the local import and export market for goods. The Europa Belfast branch is now open in Hawthorn Business Park on the Falcon Road and is being led by manager Dan Rodger, who heads up a team of four.

Dionne Redpath, sales director at Europa, described the latest investment as an "exciting development" for the company.

"I’m thrilled that we’re growing into Northern Ireland to support local manufacturers," she said.

"There is currently a lack of quality daily outbound connectivity from Northern Ireland into mainland Europe. It’s a massive opportunity for customers to access a service that enables shipments to collect today, ship that evening and arrive into Dartford 1hub the next working day for onward connection to Europe on one of our 30 daily departures."

“Liam Connelly are well known to many businesses in Northern Ireland and we’re delighted to be working together on this new venture. The company provides a fantastic service, their IT offering is second to none, and their values and care for their customers fits nicely with our ethos," she continued.

Darren Connolly, managing director at Lisnaskea-based, Liam Connolly added:

"We’re delighted to be working closely with Europa on their new daily service into continental Europe, they are an innovative operator and this is a great fit for us. We’re looking forward to a successful partnership and the growth of this new service to support businesses across Northern Ireland.”

Over the past five years the Europa Worldwide Group has doubled in size, with the business now sitting at its strongest financial position since its inception in 1966. As well as road freight services, Europa also provides dedicated air and sea, warehouse and showfreight services. The business’s turnover exceeded £144m at the end of 2017 and is on track to exceed £200m by the end of the year. The international business now operates 14 sites across the UK, Hong Kong and Belgium and is represented in 100 countries.