I will take Europa to number
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one, says new group boss
ANDREW BAXTER has said he wants Europa Worldwide Group to be the "number one groupage operator in the UK" after he bought a majority stake in the business last week. Buying a 90% stake in Kentbased Europa marks a return to the industry for the former deputy
MD at RH Freight, the Nottingham-based international haulage giant that was sold to Kuehne + Nagel in March 2011.
He replaces former owners Andrew Kennedy, Grenville Turner and Russell Keep. The latter will remain with Europa as group finance director, purchasing a 10% share in the company. Kennedy, Turner and Keep have been owners of Europa since January 2007 when they led a management buyout.
He replaces former owners Andrew Kennedy, Grenville Turner and Russell Keep. The latter will remain with Europa as group finance director, purchasing a 10% share in the company. Kennedy, Turner and Keep have been owners of Europa since January 2007 when they led a management buyout.
Baxter (pictured) said he had no plans to change the name of the Palletline member, and that staff numbers are planned to rise in the future as he invests in the business.
"I have spent some time looking for the right opportunity and am excited about the potential," he said. "The firm has an excellent reputation and a good record, and I want to build the busi
ness to become the clearly recognised, number one groupage operator in the UK," he added.
Baxter said it would be business as usual for the next few months and that he plans to invest £1.5m in IT infrastructure. Baxter also explained that Europa's network could be "boosted further" with other new sites to give "a denser coverage of the UK". Turner said: "We're pleased
that Andrew has acquired the business, and the excellent team here at Europa will give him the opportunity to expand and develop it further."
Kennedy added: "He has a proven record. A key factor for us is that the company will remain independent."