One of the reasons that Efret decided to enter into a joint venture partnership with Uniserve in 2021 was the enticing prospect of instant access to the diverse specialties of the other Group partners. They relished this opportunity and saw the commercial potential of introducing an enhanced logistics package to existing customers and access to new ones.
In Efret’s experience, major industrial groups in Europe prefer to deal with a multi-faceted organisations rather than small niche operators at one end of the scale, and hugely complex behemoths at the other. This combination, enabled by the Uniserve Group, provides the perfect balance to appeal to procurement teams at every level.
Being part of a Group of companies where acquisition of complementary businesses supports growth can lead to complex administrative processes. However, Uniserve actively encourages inter-company collaboration by cutting through the red tape and eradicating potential commercially restrictive practises.
Cross border collaboration has always been part of Efret’s DNA and this has been demonstrated to good effect with their burgeoning and mutually successful relationships with Group partners Ellerman City Liners, for short sea intermodal, and George Baker Shipping for road transport.
Intermodal transport alternatives are currently very much in vogue with international shippers as they clamour to meet decarbonisation deadlines set by global governments. However, in western Europe, the delivery of intermodal road/rail solutions remains a challenge with archaic restrictive practices, such as different rail gauges and unionised working practices still causing disruption.
In a crowded market place, only a few specialist companies are genuinely able to operate reliable and cost-effective intermodal services to and from the Iberian-peninsula. One of those is the Portugal based KLOG – a true pioneer and expert in this field.
Having actively admired their operation from afar, Efret were delighted when discussions began between the owners of KLOG and the Uniserve Group. Having played a part in encouraging the joint venture to finally come to fruition, they are looking forward to rapidly joining forces with KLOG in solving some of Europe’s freight challenges.
As an example of their innovative intermodal services, KLOG currently operates an established rail service to and from Portugal and Poland, via hubs in Spain and France. Having access to this strategic network represents a major solution for shippers trading between these economic powerhouses, who have previously relied on road transport for their supply chain fulfillment.
KLOG’s service is currently based on two block train departures a week to and from their Portuguese rail hub to Poznan in Poland, routing via Tarragona in Spain and Perpignan in France. They can also provide last mile delivery and collection from the Tarragona hub is available with e-trucks as an option. Due to customer demand, a third departure is planned for Q4/2024.
Jeff Duval, Efret’s lead founder summarises:
“By collaborating with trusted Group partners like Ellerman, George Baker and now KLOG, we’re delivering intermodal alternatives to expand our offering to customers as a part of sustainable transport services.
“As a responsible and innovative carrier, we’re mindful of our sector’s CO2 emission reduction objectives so, we’re reinforcing our mission towards decarbonisation as the future of European transportation.”
Established in 2005, Efret are at the forefront of European logistics with their own fleet, complemented by the Alliance carrier network delivering full trailer and container loads across the UK and Europe. In addition, Efret provides intermodal services, utilising a combination of road, sea and rail networks, and time critical worldwide airfreight solutions. They also offer a dedicated in-house customs brokerage service to enable smooth passage through formalities for our customers time sensitive freight.
Efret has earned the trust of its diverse and enviable client base by offering pioneering and innovative solutions, putting operational excellence, investment in people and effective communication at the heart of its services.
Their operations centre is located at Bournemouth International Airport on the south coast of the UK with a satellite office in Paris, but they also have representation at strategic hubs across Europe and North Africa.
In 2021, Efret entered into a joint venture partnership with the Uniserve Group which has led to a new era of collaboration opportunities
