Mammoth £600k investment as global logistics firm Groupe BBL opens Portadown customs office because of unique dual access to UK and EU markets
With a mammoth £600k investment, French-based global firm Groupe BBL has set up a new base in Portadown aiming to take full advantage of NI’s unique status.
Specialising in the logistics of transporting goods across international borders, the firm chose this area because of its dual status access to the UK and European markets.
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Heading up the Portadown office is native Colin Robb who was born and reared locally.
"This investment demonstrates our long-term commitment to Northern Ireland and strengthens our ability to support businesses across the UK–Ireland corridor through integrated road transport, overseas freight, contract logistics, customs, and compliance services.
"We recognise the strategic importance of the region within the wider logistics and transport network and are proud to contribute to its continued economic growth.”
Managing Director of BBL UK and Ireland Mr Jamie O’Reilly explained the firm initially started as a transport company and has since developed with expertise in logistics and customs across international markets.
“It's a federation of specialists,” said Mr O’Reilly adding they operate across more than 130 countries worldwide and employing approximately 2,200 people.
"We specialise in a lot of different areas, and that’s the reason we're here, the reason why we're investing in Northern Ireland. We see Northern Ireland has a unique dual access to both the UK market and to the European market.”
The customs office the firm has set up in Portadown is ‘the start of things to come’.
The initial £600k investment is just the first phase with 10 new jobs created – 5 of which have already been filled.
“We're looking for really smart talent here in Northern Ireland. We're looking for people who can execute the customs process and understand both of the markets because they're quite intricate,” said Mr O’Reilly.
“The European customs process is quite intricate, particularly when you're dealing with other bodies, not just customers bodies”
He revealed that Groupe BBL currently deals with a lot of large global blue chip companies who need a central base to distribute from and an intelligent in-house base to navigate the complexity of the European and British markets.
They work with many businesses from pharmaceutical companies to sports and leisure work companies to food additives and companies based in retail including many well known High Street brands.
Portadown native Colin Robb is heading up the base in his home town. Mr O’Reilly said: “We like to employ locals and, in truth, it’s because of the skill set.”
For Groupe BBL the future is all about growth. “We are just the laser focused on growth. It's all about developing companies, there's no end to companies looking to bring in raw materials from around the world.”
As a logistics expert Mr O’Reilly recognised the current fuel issue is ‘a difficult one’.
“I can see it from the government position. I can see it from local business position. What's happening in the Middle East, is an absolute crisis none of us asked for. None of us wanted this to happen, but it's here.
"I think there needs to be more engagement and listen to the people who are protesting. They have a voice. They have a genuine grief. Protesting is good in many ways, blockading not so good - so it's a bit of a mixed feeling there.”