Logistics support company, Expert Group UK Ltd based at Deeside Industrial Estate has just invested £170,000 to acquire 2 new trucks supported by Barclays.

Expert Group UK Ltd was established in 2006 and has seen consistent, sustainable growth, based on a strategy of diversification and continued investment in the business.

The company now employs 350 staff and provides drivers and logistic support solutions to some of the biggest supermarket operators across the UK.

Tony Osborne Managing Director at Expert Group UK Ltd said

“I always wanted to be a long distance lorry driver like my dad and got my class 1 HGV license when I was 21. After working as a driver for many years and witnessing the poor quality of driver being supplied to the company I was working for, I and my colleague Mike Williams decided to take the plunge in 2006 to start our own recruitment agency. The business has grown steadily and the investment into the new trucks supported by Barclays will continue to deliver our growth strategy and push our turnover through the £10 million barrier.”

Steve Butler, Relationship Director for Barclays said,

“By working closely and really understanding the business, Barclays has been able to support Expert Group UK Ltd financially and professionally throughout its latest growth phase. As a major local employer Expert Group UK Ltd has established itself within the driver recruitment sector and is now diversifying into industrial recruitment and other training to establish additional revenue streams. Tony left school at 15 with no qualifications and is a great example of how experience, hard work and a great attitude can create future entrepreneurs.”

Tony Osborne Managing Director at Expert Group UK Ltd continues

“We have grown the business by providing logistic support solutions for our customers and delivering consistently high levels of service despite the difficult external environment. We started the business with a clip board and 5 drivers and a contract working with one of the discount supermarkets. We now supply that same discount supermarket with over 180 drivers, with more and more expansion nationwide due, growth will continue, the relationship and service we have provided over the last decade have ensured our future looks healthy.

We are very much committed to creating employment and getting people into work and not just the financials. There is a shortage of over 45,000 qualified drivers in the UK. we believe we have the skills and talent here in the UK and we have launched our own training academy to allow drivers with no qualifications or experience to obtain their HGV license. We have recruited 20 apprentices already this year and plan to take another 20 over the next 12 months.”