German-owned freight forwarder Robert Kukla has launched a UK subsidiary to focus on beverage logistics.
Based in Brentwood, north-east London, it will be Robert Kukla’s first UK - based company and also the largest in terms of investment and potential.
It is led by new managing director, Steve Wood, along Lynda Simms (commercial director), Martin Jacobs (operations director) and Hannah Webb (general manager) who were until recently part of rival wine and beverage logistics specialist, JF Hillebrand.
The new company has taken over the German parent company’s existing transport business in the UK.
Steve Wood explained: “We are certainly not starting from scratch as we have the logistical operations, the knowledge and our contacts across Europe to hit the ground running.
"One of our first jobs has been to establish close relationships with Kukla’s other local operations so we can offer new clients a strong European network of freight services.”
Steve Woods and the other directors have a direct stake in the new business. He added: “Being a part of Kukla’s network is the platform we need to grow and we see that happening very quickly.
We understand beverage logistics, we know who the right people are to talk to in the industry and we can provide a unique service with a real hands-on professional approach.”
Managing partner of Robert Kukla in Germany, Knut Sander, said the new UK subsidiary would be a perfect fit for its other similar companies in Stockholm, Breda, Bilbao, Genoa and Moscow.
He added: “By having a personal liability the directors are a part of our philosophy and this ensures a very dynamic team. This is our largest new company to date and despite Brexit, we see huge growth potential here.”
Steve Wood concluded: “Despite the concerns about Brexit the beverage logistics’ sector in the UK is built on strong knowledge and attention to service details.
"We start with a full range of services from simple freight forwarding through to highly specialised and bespoke services that cover the whole range of beverages. The name may be new to the UK but we have been around long enough to know the people and the mechanics needed to provide a class-leading logistics operation for any type of beverage.”
