One of Europe’s leading freight forwarders has launched a UK subsidiary to focus on beverage logistics. Robert Kukla UK Limited launched in April 2017 with a new head office in Brentwood and a team of highly experienced and knowledgeable logistics experts.

This is Robert Kukla’s first UK – based company and also the largest of its subsidiaries in terms of investment and potential. New managing director, Steve Wood, along with three other senior staff, Lynda Simms (Commercial Director), Martin Jacobs (Operations Director) and Hannah Webb (General Manager) were until recently part of one the industry’s leading wine and beverage logistics providers and they have brought a wealth of industry and personal experience to the new company.

Operations commenced with the takeover of the German parent company’s existing transport business in the UK. Steve Wood believes this is the right way for Robert Kukla UK to introduce its new operations to the beverage sector.

“We are certainly not starting from scratch as we have the logistical operations, the knowledge and our contacts across Europe to hit the ground running. One of our first jobs has been to establish close relationships with Kukla’s other local operations so we can offer new clients a strong European network of freight services.” “Being a part of Kukla’s network is the platform we need to grow and we see that happening very quickly. We understand beverage logistics, we know who the right people are to talk to in the industry and we can provide a unique service with a real hands-on professional approach. ”

Knut Sander, managing partner of Robert Kukla GmbH in Germany sees the new UK subsidiary as a perfect fit for its other similar companies in Stockholm, Breda, Bilbao, Genoa and Moscow.

Steve Wood and the other directors have a direct stake in the new business and see this as a statement of commitment and belief in Kukla UK. “By having a personal liability the directors are a part of our philosophy and this ensures a very dynamic team. This is our largest new company to date and despite Brexit, we see huge growth potential here,” says Sander.

Recent figures from the German Chamber of Commerce (AHK) suggest around 2,500 companies from Germany operate in the UK and according to Steve Wood Kukla has shown strong confidence in the new UK operation.

“Despite the concerns about Brexit the beverage logistics’ sector in the UK is built on strong knowledge and attention to service details. We start with a full range of services from simple freight forwarding through to highly specialised and bespoke services that cover the whole range of beverages. The name may be new to the UK but we have been around long enough to know the people and the mechanics needed to provide a class-leading logistics operation for any type of beverage.”