Member Article

First 4 Logistics invests for the future with acquisition of two new depots and new management structure

First 4 Logistics, part of The APC delivery network - the largest independent parcel delivery network in the UK - has today announced significant investments in its business and workforce to support the continued growth of its business and local SME customers. In the last 24 months First 4 Logistics has seen 4% overall growth, spurred by the strength of the region’s SME community and the ongoing demand for parcel services across Brighton and East Sussex.

Chris Aldridge, Director at First 4 Logistics, said: “Throughout the pandemic, we saw growing demand for parcel services, driven by a surge in consumer e-commerce activity. Across our business we worked tirelessly to support our local customers, recognising their changing needs and investing in our business to support this evolution. Two years on and the pandemic has fundamentally changed the shape of distribution and the whole dynamic of the industry; the way people are shopping, their delivery needs and their delivery expectations. But impressively, in response to these changes, we’ve seen so many of our SME customers quickly adapt, proving their entrepreneurialism, and thriving as a result. It’s the resilience of our customers - and our ability to provide them with a local team who will work hard in partnership with them - that has largely contributed to the success we’ve seen.

In order to support the growth of the business and its customers, First 4 Logistics has invested in the expansion of its sales, customer service and operations teams. As part of this, the business has created a new management structure, announcing a series of internal promotions, which includes three senior appointments that join the new management team;

Sean Hoeppener has been appointed Depot Manager, to lead the team through the next stage of business growth and to continue building and strengthening First 4 Logistics’ operations; with a focus on recruitment and health and safety across the business.

Alex Sampson has been appointed Sales Manager - a role which will see him utilise years of experience in business development and customer relations management - to provide great service solutions and enable SMEs across the region to flourish.

Jason Bray has been appointed Customer Services Manager, ensuring that the business’ SME customers have a local day-to-day contact working in partnership with them to assist with any enquiries and support their continued growth.

These appointments form part of the ongoing investment from First 4 Logistics in its workforce and training and development opportunities. The business, which has grown its team by 45% in the last two years, today comprises 58 employees - made up entirely of local staff - helping to build on the business’ delivery service offerings to local businesses across all BN and TN2 postcodes. Alongside the investment in its workforce, First 4 Logistics has today also announced significant investment to support its business operations; which includes the acquisition of two new depots. The depots, based in Southampton and the Isle of Wight, provide an additional 40,000 sq. ft. of premium warehouse space, allowing the business to expand its overnight, sameday and international parcel collection and delivery service offering, as well as its overnight and international pallet service, to local SME businesses across the South. Additionally, the increased space will allow the business to offer storage facilities, supporting growth of these local businesses and, through the nationwide coverage of The APC delivery network, enabling them to reach an ever expanding national customer base.

Jonathan Smith, Chief Executive at APC Overnight, said: “Across The APC network we are still seeing the strength and determination of our SME customers as they respond to the evolving needs of consumers and plan for the future. First 4 Logistics continued success and investment, is testament to the brilliant depot team who have worked so hard over the last couple of years. It’s fantastic to see their ongoing efforts in the business and local community, both with the new management team, and their drive to continually meet the needs of their customers.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by George Walker .