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Independent freight forwarder and Palletways member, International Forwarding (IFL), has opened a third storage facility in the Midlands.

It said the expansion will help import-export businesses combat disruption from reduced air and sea freight capacity due to coronavirus restrictions as well as provide space for extra goods ahead of Brexit changes at the end of the transition period.

The 3,700sq m (40,000sq ft) warehouse in Garretts Green, Birmingham, is already starting to fill up with short and long-term goods storage bound for UK and European destinations.

The further expansion comes a year after the company almost doubled its storage space with a second 2,000sq m facility located at its Coleshill HQ.

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IFL said adding a third pallet storage facility supports its growth plans and aim to become one of the leading warehouse companies in the Midlands for imports and exports. The new unit will provide capacity for up to 6,000 pallets and is located on the site of Birmingham’s former Hovis bakery, which closed in 2013, within close proximity of Birmingham city centre, the M42 and M6, and Birmingham International Airport.

IFL MD Rob Pike said: “These are tough times for everyone, but we are very excited to be opening our third warehouse at this strategic site for goods coming into Birmingham or being shipped to Europe. It’s a fantastic growth opportunity for the company and will significantly increase our storage capacity.

“Like many other forwarders, our warehouse operations have been running at near maximum capacity throughout lockdown. The trend for over-purchasing of goods from Europe is one that is likely to continue in the lead up to Brexit, and for the next year at least, as companies try to cushion the impacts of disrupted supply chains. We are also now able to offer additional temporary space to other freight and logistics operators who are also at capacity.”

Palletways UK MD Rob Gittins added: “This expansion is excellent news from a member of our network. As part of Imperial, Palletways is always looking ahead to new business opportunities and further growth across Europe. Quality members like IFL ensure that the Palletways network is able to flourish and continue to provide excellent service to our customers across the continent.”

International Forwarding was founded in 1989 and now has 60 staff, a fleet of 20 trucks and a turnover of almost £10m.

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