Feature, Forwarding, Freight News, Logistics, Road

Europa chief sees signs of hope despite tough challenges

[ January 27, 2025   //   Chris Lewis ]

Despite rising operating costs and increases in National Insurance, Adrian Redmile, branch and sales director at Europa Road is hopeful about the outlook for 2025. He says that the National Institute of Economic and Social Research (NIESR) suggests we can be cautiously optimistic about the economic outlook for 2025 with some improved performance predicted.
With a continued increase in operating costs, exacerbated by tighter budgets, Redmile,says that companies are “looking towards maximising efficiencies and optimising operations in the supply chain” this year. The overall increase in the cost of running a business will hit everyone in 2025 – suppliers and customers alike. So, optimising the logistics of the supply chain will be essential to driving prosperity.”
Digital technology can be employed effectively across road, air and sea freight, warehousing and fulfilment so that customers can book, manage and track consignment themselves and reduce administration.
He says: “This is something that we have focused on over the past few years, and it certainly makes a difference to customers and has helped us succeed in a challenging economic climate. The upfront costs of these investments are certainly daunting, but if the return is a slick, streamlined supply chain, it is absolutely worth it – for us and for our customers.”
The complexities and expenses around customs clearance is becoming a significant pain point for businesses requiring European road freight services, he adds: “One way to navigate this is to help customers consolidate shipments to manage the cost of customs clearance. Specifically in road freight, we are seeing heavier loads being made and fewer journeys, which reduces customs clearance charges and the ‘pence per kilogram’ freight charge.”
New EU legislation for Corporate Sustainability Reporting (CSR) is having an impact on British and European markets: “According to incumbent legislation, which is already in place for our Belgium and Netherlands operations, we are now required to report on sustainability – assessing the impact of our carbon emissions on people and the environment.”
Europa was an early adopter the Pledge accredited emissions measuring, reporting and offsetting platform and recently introduced carbon insetting with the use of HVO-100 to replace diesel fuel on new routes from the UK and Netherlands.

Tags: Europa