NI freight carrier has record year

Independent freight carriers Campbell Freight Services have been recognised by IATA (International Air Transport Association) as a leading Northern Irish Air Freight Carrier and one of the fastest growing businesses in the UK and Ireland.

The Belfast based company had a record turnover of £17.5 million last year, an increase of 14% on 2004.

These figures saw the company climb over ten places in the industry rankings making it the highest placed Irish company and one of the leading independent carriers internationally.

Managing Director of Campbell Freight, Alan Campbell said: "We are delighted with these results and to have achieved such a strong ranking. The IATA airfreight league is very influential and drives purchasing decisions by large manufacturers here in Ireland across the world. At a time of decline in Northern Irish manufacturing we have adapted our business model to stay competitive in the traditional sectors whilst growing new markets and developing new services across the world."

Airfreight is growing in importance and customers are looking for providers who can give them up to the minute updates on their shipments and track and trace their cargo.

Campbell Freight operates from its World Cargo Centre in Newtownabbey on the outskirts of Belfast and has offices in Cork, Dublin and Shannon.

Over the past couple of years the company has also developed a Freight Management Solutions Division which is managing the entire shipping, customs and logistics requirements of a number of large companies across the globe.

The company has become the first ever to be licensed by the Singapore government to handle their customs requirements and complete all documentation from Belfast in what is being seen as a huge development in the world cargo industry.

"Our Freight Management Solutions allow us to manage the entire supply chain on behalf of clients. We are regularly handling shipments between Eastern Europe and the Far East and between South America and Africa, from Belfast. Our agreement with Singapore is a world first and will soon be followed by agreements with South Africa and Poland allowing us to virtually clear customs in any of these countries from a desk in Belfast putting our city right back on the map as a centre of trading excellence," said Mr Campbell.

(SP/EF)