Leading independent logistics operator, Europa Warehouse, has appointed an experienced business strategist to head up its Rushden (Northants) site following its acquisition of some of the trade and assets of Menzies Response earlier this year.
Europa Warehouse (offering 3PL warehousing and logistics) is a division of Europa Worldwide Group.
Matthew Preston takes on the role of General Manager at Europa’s facility in Express Park, which is in excess of 80,000 square feet and offers an end-to-end warehouse fulfilment management service.
Europa already operates award-winning warehouse at Grange Park in Northampton plus others in Dartford and Minworth near Birmingham offering a total of 470,000 square feet storage. Matthew, who has experience working for well-known brands such as Argos, DPD, Snap-On Tools and Marks & Spencer, said he was excited to join the business at such a pivotal time for its Warehouse division.
He said: “My career so far has focused on process improvements and developing systems which help to make positive organisational change from the grassroots up, which goes hand in hand with employee satisfaction, happiness and productivity. I’m thrilled to be joining such a fast paced and innovative business as Europa at a time when it is expanding, as this brings with it all manner of new opportunities.
“I know how to develop and implement long-term and short-term service improvement strategies and I have a track record of contributing to organisation development initiatives through mentoring and training team members, implementing cost containment strategies and supporting on-time completion of all projects. I can’t wait to get to know Europa’s team in Rushden better and to build strong customer relationships across the board.
“I’ve always been especially interested in bringing my skills to a growth-minded business, helping to improve current practices and policies to optimise organisation potential. The Europa operation in Rushden created after the latest acquisition seemed to have my name on it! I look forward to becoming part of the Europa family and seeing what we achieve at the new facility over the coming year.”
Europa was established over 50 years ago, now employing over 900 staff and was featured in The Sunday Times Top Track 250 (2018). It is going from strength to strength, reaching a turnover of £180m last year, with further growth expected for 2019.
Europa Warehouse Director, Maria Torrent-March, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Matthew to our team at Rushden, as we aim to strengthen, develop and grow the Warehouse division.
“With experience working across a broad range of sectors, we knew Matthew will bring what we need to the role – utilising the skills and ability to grow the business. As the Rushden site is a new venture for Europa it requires someone who not only understands the requirements of the current business plan but who can also bring new ideas to the table. Matthew looks set to make a real impact and we’re excited for the future.”
Joining Europa’s 900 staff across its 16 sites in the UK, Belgium and Hong Kong, Matthew and his team will play a key role in Europa’s ambitious plans to expand to a £400m turnover operator in the next four years through a combination of organic growth and further acquisitions.
