XP invests as turnover increases • XP Express Parcel system
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is to invest another Elm in its UK operations following a year in which its turnover rose by some 38%.
It predicts a further 40% growth in its road operations this year and plans to open six more parcel stations across the UK, boosting its network to 20. Sites are planned in the West Country, the M4 con-idor, the Borders, Scotland and the South-East.
XP also intends to expand its depot stations at Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds, East Midlands Airport and Stanstead.
Geoff Carr, managing director of XP Express Parcels in the UK says: "It is just over a year since we took over the XP operation, both in the UK and Continental Europe, and the company is now a far different animal.
"It was traditionally geared towards documents and lightweight parcels, which is why the depots are so small and need expanding," Carr explains. "But we have bought 30 new bigger vehicles — boosting the fleet to 62 — ranging from Escort vans up to 17 tonners. Our average weight on the road is up to 200kg and in the air 20-25kg. We are handling up to 300 export shipments a week, which we want to treble, and 100 imports," he adds.
Carr says the growth has come from all areas of the XP operation, with the company's one-stop-shop approach generating new business.
"We have a facility for every eventuality that a customer may request," he believes.
"It is much easier for our clients to deal with one company for all their requirements rather than say five lots of phone calls, five invoices, and so on," says Carr.
In the past year XP has spent Lim on improving and expanding the business, including the debut of the first XPliveried BAe 146QT jet freighter.