Europa Air & Sea, part of the pioneering logistics firm Europa Worldwide Group, continues to offer customers value for money and competitive market rates with the promotion of a key member of staff to the newly combined role of Air & Sea Pricing Supervisor.
Katie Taylor, located at Europa’s Birmingham site, will be responsible for overseeing the team of pricing coordinators, which operates as a centralised team at Prologis Park. It works closely alongside the division’s Business Development Managers (BDMs) to quote for new clients, whilst also looking after an existing client portfolio.
Katie has worked at Europa’s Air and Sea division for almost four years, prior to which she held positions at DHL and City Link. She brings a wealth of account management experience to the role and is very well placed to support the wider team in their own professional development within the business.
With a growing team in Minworth, the Birmingham site is also home to other Europa divisions who manage European road freight, Europa Road, and warehousing and logistics, Europa Warehouse. The team is based at Midpoint Way, Minworth, where the company has a 180,000 ft2 (16,536m2) facility and employs a team of 100 in total.
Europa Air & Sea continually monitors changing market conditions, working incredibly hard to offer the most competitive rates to its customers and ensuring their operational capabilities are maintained.
Katie’s promotion comes at a crucial time when increasing cost pressures continue to impact across the logistics sector. According to recent research, three-quarters of firms have said it is becoming harder to absorb rising shipping costs, triggered by recent fuel price hikes and ongoing supply chain pressures.
The pricing team delivers a pivotal part of a customer journey, from understanding the client’s needs to calculating the most cost-effective route.
Speaking about her new role, Katie said: “We’re always looking for innovative ways to ensure our pricing structures reflect potential volume shifts and more importantly the needs of our clients while ensuring value for money and the absolute best customer service.
“Our goal is to drive best in class pricing and service for our clients. I’m delighted to have been offered the opportunity to step up into this position and work with the wider Europa Air & Sea team to deliver on this objective.”
Europa encourages all staff to make the most of career opportunities arising across all three divisions – Air and Sea, Warehouse and Road – and supports individuals to reach their full potential. Part of Katie’s role will also be to grow her team as the BDMs get back out on the road and bring in new leads.
Miles O’Donnell, Europa’s National Air and Sea Sales Manager, commented: “We have an extensive and robust network which enables us to move a customer’s goods across the globe in the most cost-effective way.
“Despite Covid, sea and air cargo remain a vital component of the UK supply chain, with tonnage traffic continuing to steadily increase during each quarter of 2021. As volumes return to pre-pandemic levels, we are continuing to expand, reinvesting in both the business and our staff.
“Having Katie supervise our growing pricing team in Birmingham means we can continue to meet the supply chain needs of our customers. It’s great to be able to promote from within and we look forward to seeing the positive impact she will no doubt make as the division fulfils its commercial ambitions.”
Europa Air & Sea launched as a separate division in 2015 and continues to expand with an increasing overseas footprint. It has had a presence in Hong Kong since 2011 and more recently in Shanghai, with the opening of a new office in the city at the start of 2022.
In response to an evolving market, the division centralised its Air services in Heathrow and Sea services in Birmingham last year. It also embedded at least one Air & Sea Business Development Manager at each of Europa Group’s 13 branches throughout the UK, which is currently being expanded with a further three sites set to open this month.
