German freight forwarders Robert Kukla has officially opened a UK subsidiary focused on beverage logistics.
The new head office, situated in Brentwood, Essex, marks the company’s first UK-based arm and signaled Kukla’s largest subsidiary in terms of investment and potential, said the business.
The UK subsidiary is headed up by former commercial director of JF Hillebrand, Steve Wood. He is joined by a trio of senior staff – a commercial director – Lynda Simms, an operations director – Martin Jacobs, and a general manager – Hannah Webb.
Having until recently formed part of one of the industry’s “leading" wine and beverage logistics providers, the trio brought a wealth of experience to the new company, which has been in the process of being set up since April this year, but was only now in a position to announce itself.
Operations commenced with the takeover of the German parent company’s existing transport business in the UK, ensuring that the newly established business was not “starting from scratch”.
“We have the logistical operations, the knowledge and our contacts across Europe to hit the ground running, said Wood, adding the UK subsidiary would provide a “unique service with a real hands-on professional approach.”
“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.”
Robert Kukla has similar subsidiaries in Stockholm, Breda, Bilbao, Genoa and Moscow.