PML Seafrigo hires airfreight director

Food logistics firm PML Seafrigo has hired Paddie Allen as airfreight director to head up the company’s UK airfreight operations.

The role of airfreight director sees Allen based at Heathrow Airport, with responsibility for 22 staff.

Allen has spent the last 16 years in the logistics business and has gained expertise across airfreight, warehousing and ocean operations.

Allen’s foray into logistics began with a seven-year stint at a rival global logistics provider based at Heathrow, where he advanced from gateway coordinator to department manager.

His next move to another transport, logistics, supply chain and storage specialist saw him assume sole responsibility for managing the Heathrow export operation and the company’s cross dock import/export warehouse facility.

He then took on two senior positions (regional general manager and head of air & ocean UK) at competitor logistics service organisations.

Allen said: “I’m delighted to be joining PML Seafrigo at not only such a pivotal point in the company’s growth plans but also at a time when we are witnessing an upward trend in the use of air freight services, especially for perishable goods where speed and efficiency of transport are so vital to maximise the shelf life of temperature sensitive goods.

“There are some exciting initiatives in the pipeline for our air freight operations, including the opening of a route to the Middle East, undertaking more complimentary business with our Australia air freight division, and a return to chartering our own aircraft is also potentially on the cards.”

Seafrigo purchased UK perishables forwarder PML in the first quarter of 2023.

PML Seafrigo combines PML’s expertise in the transfer of perishable goods with Seafrigo’s logistics expertise spanning five continents.

PML Seafrigo positive on the future despite challenging market conditions