Europa Worldwide Logistics is to move into a new head office in Dartford, which will increase capacity for handling logistics contracts.

The operator has leased the 262,500ft² site at the Prologis Park in Littlebrook, Dartford, with construction work expected to begin in the summer.

The site will become its new southern hub, replacing its current head office in nearby Erith. All 230 staff will transfer to Dartford when it becomes operational in spring 2015.

MD Andrew Baxter, who acquired the company in August, said logistics, especially for online retailers, is an area of the business that has grown in recent years.

“This move marks the biggest single investment that the company has ever made, and is an exciting next step for the business,” he said.

Europa also plans to open another branch in the East Midlands this year, as well as add a number of additional routes.

“We have worked closely with Prologis to design a state-of-the-art facility that will increase our capacity and help us to provide the best possible service to our customers,” Baxter said.