“Birmingham City Council’s Green Bridge fund was pivotal in providing us with the financial boost we needed to expand in the Midlands’ manufacturing hot-spot.” That’s the view of David Birkbeck, Managing Director of GBA Services, the time critical and high-value-goods logistics provider, as it moves to a newly acquired 50,000 sq.ft. office and warehousing facility at Kingsbury Business Park, Minworth. GBA has created its Global Time Critical Hub in the heart of the UK, just a stone’s throw from some of the biggest names in automotive.
Birkbeck’s comments come as Councillor Tahir Ali of Birmingham City Council visited the Minworth hub to mark the official opening of GBA Services’ operating centre .
Such has been the success of the funding from the Green Bridge Supply Chain Programme (which is part funded by the Regional Growth Fund and managed by Birmingham City Council), GBA Services is already considering additional premises in the West Midlands to expand further.
GBA Services’ move to Minworth has created 14 jobs for local people with more jobs to come.
Head-quartered in Lancashire, a significant proportion of the company’s business stems from the motoring heartland in the Midlands. “A base in the Midlands was crucial for us,” added Birkbeck. GBA Services has enjoyed major business wins in 2015, and, notably, with a major Midlands-based First Tier supplier to the automotive sector.
The road, sea and air-freight specialist says its business has seen a 36% increase in year-to-date sales, highlighted by a 62% increase spike during week 27 compared to the same seven days in 2014. Moreover, GBA Services’ growth in the UK is reflected across its European operations, including Austria and Poland which, together, have contributed to a more than 40% year-to-date increase in revenue.
“Our move to the West Midlands,” said Birkbeck, “has been key to our plans for growth. This is where many of our customers are focused. Through the Green Bridge fund, Birmingham City Council saw our potential to develop our business locally. We have good relations with high-profile Midlands companies, and our presence here can only boost the local economy still further.
“Minworth is right at the heart of the UK’s automotive scene,” he said, “and we have the capacity to expand – indeed, plans are afoot to acquire additional premises in the West Midlands as our customers demand more space. Facilities at Minworth are ultra-modern, offering secure warehousing and storage, and rapid response to any Time Critical demands.”
