Adapting to Brexit has been an ongoing challenge for businesses for the past six months. The new regulations are complicated and for the packaging and labelling industry specifically, with the majority of its customers based abroad, the cons far outweigh the pros.
To manage the process efficiently and keep shipments moving on time and in budget has required expert knowledge. For international business, ITW ShineMark Foil & Thermal Films (ITW), which provides decorative foils, holographic, and TTR to the global packaging, labelling, and coding markets, its post Brexit success has been attributed to its logistics supplier.
The offering was a unique customs product, Europa Flow, which would allow the UK and worldwide Foil and Thermal business, which has a turnover of £20m, to keep its promise to its customers – in that post Brexit there would be no cost to bear, no paperwork, no import fees and most importantly, no hassle.
The customs product works by facilitating exports to the EU by removing the hassle for EU importers, by negating their need to appoint a customs broker or pay import duties, whilst zero rating the import VAT.
For ITW, Europa Flow’s product offered multiple benefits. The process was clear and details of shipment locations were shared regularly, allowing the business to feel reassured that its goods were moving smoothly and not stuck in ports or oversea depots.
Carl George, Operations Manager, ITW ShineMark Foil & Thermal Films shares her take up on why Europa Flow was the best product on the market for their business:
“For our business, the main priority was to deliver against our customer promise – that there would be no change to deliveries now compared to pre-Brexit. After speaking to the Europa team and discussing the benefits, it was exactly what we were looking for and no other logistics provider was offering a similar service. Europa moved quickly, knowing that we needed to act fast to ensure our shipments moved smoothly into the EU. Within 2-3 days we were up and running, and now we are confidently moving upwards of 200 pallets per month.”
Dionne Redpath, Sales Director for Europa Road is delighted the product has been so successful for ITW. She comments: “By using our Europa Flow product, our customers are in the strongest position. We have created a solution to keep goods moving without friction. Whilst we can’t prevent physical customs checks we can remove every other barrier that delays goods and we are pleased to see this solution is working, resulting in a positive response from our customers.”
Europa Road, part of pioneering logistics provider, Europa Worldwide Group, offers European road freight services for both import and export customers across Europe.
Europa Worldwide Group has six divisions – Europa Road, Europa Air & Sea, Europa Showfreight, Europa Warehouse, Europa Contact Centre and Continental Cargo Carriers.
www.europa-worldwide.com
@europaworldwide
