The Green Group has successfully integrated into its business the Worksop warehousing division of collapsed Seafield Logistics that it acquired from administrators in July.
Company founder Pete Osborne told MT the integration had “gone great”. However, he warned that the warehousing sector remained notoriously competitive, particularly in the company’s South Yorkshire locality where property is inexpensive, and retaining customers as they come to the end of their fixed terms remains a challenge.
“We’ve had a great year on transport, but on warehousing it’s been difficult. Customers are coming to the end of terms and it is not as easy as we would like it to be to retain them,” Osborne said. “We do have some really interested parties looking to go in there, but it would be nice to keep all the customers we already have.”
He added: “It is a very difficult sector, but if you can get it right with the distribution and the transport, then that’s when it can add its value.”
The Pall-Ex member began operating its own vehicles in 2010. The fleet has since grown to 90 vehicles, and the company recently placed an order for 50 more Mercedes-Benz Actros units and 50 further trailers for its general haulage division.
Osborne said the group’s tanker business is fast gathering pace, with a major contract for PT Resin proving an exciting opportunity to explore multi-modal distribution.
Green Group is also finding success with its fledgling car transporter division, which is servicing a Japanese exporter. “We’ve just started with car transporters and are seeing that grow nice and steadily,” added Osborne. He said the group is looking at a £12m turnover for this year, and expects this to grow organically next year to £17m as customers increase their requirements. “We’re growing at a rate to fulfil our customers’ appetites.”
Green Group chairman James Criddle, who was involved in the integration, has left the business.
