Continental Cargo Carriers (CCC) is celebrating its second successful year since its acquisition by leading operator Europa Worldwide Group in 2018.
Established in 1973, CCC is one of the biggest players on the roll-on roll-off market between Europe and the UK, delivering full and part-load consignments daily. It operates a fleet of 270 trailers, with a 4000 m2 warehouse and employs a team in Belgium and the UK. Although CCC remains a separate operation, the UK team is now based in Europa’s £30m headquarters in Dartford.
Europa’s original thinking was to integrate CCC into its European road freight operation, acting as an inhouse part and full load system, but in fact decided the business was best operated as a standalone subsidiary of Europa Road. The difference between the two operating models and own customers has allowed CCC to continue to operate successfully as a separate entity.
Since the acquisition CCC has invested substantially in technology and systems to improve customer experience, using Europa’s inhouse IT TMS platform, with added elements developed specifically to support CCC. In addition, an internal staff restructure was completed to focus on sales and operation, alongside an investment in marketing to continue to enhance the brand’s profile.
Despite the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and the resulting difficulties it has brought to the industry, CCC has taken measures to ensure it can continue to offer a high-quality service to its customers. One-way systems and social distancing measures have been put in place in workshops, warehouses, and offices to ensure safe working for staff. Where possible, office-based staff are working remotely, those unable to do so are working in Covid compliant spaces.
CCC has been focused on investing in its future by improving and streamlining operations. As part of its ongoing plans to improve efficiencies, the company has now fully implemented the bespoke Leonardo IT system. Created by Europa’s in-house development team, Leonardo is continuously being developed to ensure customers have access to full trackability and management of their shipments. The system brings operational benefits for CCC, improving efficiencies and offering visibility.
Alongside the improvement in IT the staff restructure has created focused sales teams and allows the operations team to own all elements of the CCC operations.
Carlo Turner, General Manager at Continental Cargo Carriers commented: “It has been an exciting year of development for CCC. After a successful first year for the business since the acquisition, we are thrilled to see the second year follow suit, despite the current situation. Covid-19 has brought us many challenges and we are proud to have faced them head on, adapting the business in the best way possible to ensure our staff and customers felt minimum disruption.
He continues: “We very much look forward to another positive year as we continue to enhance services to our customers. We have exciting investment plans in electronic consignments, using a secure digital portal to allow customers to access digital consignment documents, as well as an online portal that will allow us to offer end to end track and trace.”
Europa Worldwide Group Operations Director, Dan Cook, adds: “It goes without saying, this year has brought many challenges to all industries. Although CCC has faced difficulties of its own with lower volumes, it has dealt with them exceptionally well and continued to prove its ability to drive the business forward. We have effectively reduced our costs, tightened everything up, and got ourselves into good shape to survive the downturn. Pleasingly those volumes are now picking back up.
“The team both in Belgium and the UK have done an exceptional job and we foresee a very exciting future for the business. Continental Cargo Carriers remains a great asset to the group and continues to play a key role in Europa’s ambitious growth plans.”
