UK IT firm opens Dutch hub due to Brexit
AGILITAS IS a UK-based IT channel supplier with a global reach and many customers across the EU.
Agilitas IT Solutions launched its new European logistics hub in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. The facility was opened to ensure its customers and partners are provided with continuity of service following the recent Brexit deal.
The new hub will be used to hold technology hardware and enable Agilitas to continue EU business without impacting its logistics services and supply chain management.
Agilitas operations director John Street said: “As an international solutions provider with a strong presence in Europe, guaranteeing continuity and stability through the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union was always of significant importance to Agilitas and our customers. While it is certainly encouraging that a trade deal has now been agreed between the UK and EU, it was also paramount for Agilitas to be prepared for every potential scenario.”
Following the EU referendum in 2016, Agilitas established a Brexit task force that would actively monitor developments to ensure that the UK business would be safeguarded throughout the withdrawal and subsequent transition period. A key priority of the dedicated group was to minimise the impact of any regulatory changes that could affect Agilitas’ ability to serve both its UK and European markets.
By establishing a logistics hub in the continent, Agilitas is better placed to tackle issues surrounding trade, tariffs and free movement that stem from the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union.
John Street added: “International businesses such as Agilitas should always be prepared for change. We have been working closely with our supply chain partners over the past few months, implementing agile action plans to allow us to continue to support our EU customers, who need to receive the levels of service they are accustomed to. We are always looking to adapt and evolve as the industry develops, and our European logistics hub is just one of the ways we are transforming our business to remain relevant for customers, and continue to provide world-class channel services solutions.”
This time last year, Agiltas set up a logistics hub in Nottingham to serve its international business. The move saw it increase the height of shelving to 7m, creating an 80% increase in shelving space and a 300% increase in pallet capacity. This growth also allowed the company to increase recruitment of local workforce by over 20%. The hub included the introduction of semi-automated picking, reducing pick up times by 30%.
