SEKO Logistics, the Chicago-based global logistics provider, has unveiled plans for a significant strategic investment in the UK market with the establishment of a new flagship air freight and omnichannel parcel center near London Heathrow Airport.
The 22,000-square-foot facility in Egham represents a $5 million investment aimed at supporting British brands' international growth, particularly in key e-commerce markets including Australia, New Zealand, and the United States. The new center will offer comprehensive logistics services including order fulfillment, freight forwarding, cross-border transportation, e-commerce solutions, and IT support.
Addressing Cross-Border Logistics Challenges
The investment comes as British businesses face increasing challenges in global expansion, including:
- Capacity constraints during peak seasons leading to delayed shipments
- Escalating international transportation costs reducing profit margins
- Complex customs clearance procedures causing delays
- Lack of real-time shipment visibility
- Difficulties managing international returns
Keith O'Brien, Chief Operating Officer for Europe, Middle East and Africa at SEKO Logistics, noted: "Our organic growth has been driven by client referrals and our established reputation in helping UK businesses enter lucrative cross-border e-commerce markets. This sector has been SEKO's fastest-growing business segment over the past 2-3 years."
Strategic Location and Capabilities
The Heathrow-adjacent location provides strategic advantages for time-sensitive air freight operations. Brian Bourke, Vice President of Marketing, emphasized the importance of proximity: "For air freight, especially e-commerce, every minute counts. Having our own facility near Heathrow allows more efficient processing of air containers and parcels."
The facility will employ 52 staff specializing in customer management, operations, air freight, and customer solutions. This expansion builds on SEKO's existing UK presence, which includes eight operational facilities including a 225,000-square-foot logistics center in Milton Keynes.
UK Market Importance
The UK represents SEKO's largest market outside the United States within its global network of 120 offices across 40 countries. This expansion reflects the growing demand for British brands internationally, with 46% of UK small and medium enterprises currently generating revenue through exports.
SEKO's omnichannel parcel software provides British exporters with tools to manage international shipments, including automated order processing, optimized carrier selection, real-time tracking, and customs documentation generation.
The company has previously supported UK brands across various sectors, including fashion retailers expanding to over 100 countries, food producers entering Asian markets, and home goods manufacturers establishing North American distribution.