Ten years after the EU referendum reshaped the way UK businesses trade with Europe, Europa Road is also marking a decade at its Eurocentral base - and continued growth in the number of Scottish companies using its European road freight services.
The Glasgow operation moved to Eurocentral in 2016, just months after the referendum. Since then, its team has helped importers and exporters respond to one of the most significant changes to UK-EU trade in a generation, alongside rising costs, tariff changes and wider geopolitical disruption.
Over that period, Europa Road’s Glasgow branch has doubled both its customer base and consignment volumes. It serves businesses across Scotland, from Aberdeen to the Borders, with particular strength in the food and drink and manufacturing sectors.
The growth comes against a challenging trading backdrop. Latest Scottish Government data shows that Scotland’s exports to the EU fell by 4 per cent in the year ending March 2026.
Elisa Elder, Branch Manager at Europa Road in Glasgow, said: “The past 10 years have transformed what Scottish businesses need from a European road freight partner. When we moved to Eurocentral in 2016, exporters did not face the customs processes that are now a routine part of trading with the EU.
“Our role has evolved with those needs. Customers now look to us not only to move their goods, but also to help them navigate customs requirements, choose the right service and keep their supply chains moving reliably. Our growth over the decade reflects the resilience of Scottish businesses and their determination to maintain and develop European markets.”
Europa Road provides a full range of European road freight solutions and Incoterms, including groupage, full and part loads, express vans, Delivered Duty Paid (DDP) and Delivered at Place (DAP) services. Consignments handled by the Glasgow branch connect daily into Europa’s network of 50 hubs across Europe.
The Glasgow team is supported by a European road freight operation that has transported £11.2bn worth of goods between the UK and EU since post-Brexit trading rules were introduced. Central to this is Europa Flow, the company’s customs solution designed to simplify DDP movements and give UK exporters’ European customers a buying experience that is as straightforward as possible.
Its post-Brexit solutions reduce the administrative and operational burden for customers. Europa’s DDP service can give an exporter’s European customer a simpler buying experience by allowing duties, taxes and customs formalities to be managed as part of the shipment. Its instant quoting platform also provides greater visibility of transit times and costs, helping businesses plan with more confidence.
Demand for Europa Road’s groupage service - which allows businesses to move smaller consignments without paying for a full trailer - provides a practical measure of the branch’s expansion. The Glasgow team is now filling a double-deck longer semi-trailer each night and expects to add further trailer capacity in the coming months.
Elisa added: “Scottish exporters have had to become highly adaptable. Every shipment has different commercial priorities, so there is no single answer: the right option might be groupage, a full load, an express service or a different Incoterm.
“What matters is having local people who understand the customer’s business, backed by customs expertise and a dependable European network. That combination helps businesses avoid preventable delays and costs while continuing to compete in important EU markets.”
Adrian Redmile, Road Branch Network and Sales Director at Europa Road, said: “The 10-year anniversary of the referendum is a reminder of just how fundamentally European trade has changed. Customs is no longer a simple task at the border: mistakes involving classification, origin, VAT or declarations can result in delays, extra costs and disrupted supply chains.
“Reaching 10 years at Eurocentral gives us an opportunity to recognise how our Glasgow team and its customers have responded to a decade of change. The branch combines local relationships with the customs infrastructure, technology and European network we have built across Europa Road. Its growth shows that Scottish businesses remain committed to Europe, and we will continue investing in the people and capacity needed to support that trade over the next decade.”
Europa Road is the specialist European road freight division of independent logistics operator Europa Worldwide Group.