Our MD’s story – Tony’s GTS UK journey
Today, GTS UK is a thriving international business working with companies across the globe to import and export goods in and out of the UK, as well as Europe and beyond. But, given the scale of our success, you would be forgiven for not believing we have only been operating for just eight years.
In that time, the business has gone from a small business operated from our MD’s home office to one with a multi-million-pound turnover. Here is our story so far:
After being made redundant by another logistics company in 2015 our MD, Tony, saw a tweet from the GTS Group about setting up a UK base – a chance encounter that lit the blue touchpaper.
Armed with a brimming contacts book honed over years in the industry, he set to work making the first moves in what would eventually produce the business we recognise today.
Tony chose not to go to the clients he knew but rather secure and build new clients who were ideal for the GTS brand. Times were tough operating as a team of one but the uphill battle wouldn’t last long.
Tony’s genuine approach to do things the right way and provide real value to clients has helped to make an instant mark, allowing him to easily develop long-term relationships across sectors.
With customers recognising Tony’s passion and willingness to go that extra mile, word began to spread. It wasn’t long until GTS UK left the confines of his home and spread its wings into new premises.
The Bloc in Anlaby, East Yorkshire has been our home since 2017 but our reach is global.
Some of our biggest brands include Crosta & Mollica and Aldi. Our relationship with the latter has become so successful that Aldi’s spend with the wider GTS Group has gone from less than £1 million in 2018 to over £8 million in 2022. And our list of customers continues to expand - currently totalling more than 170 across all of our services.
In 2022, our rise was celebrated more widely. We were shortlisted by Hull Live at its annual Business Awards, in the Business of the Year category. Seeing the GTS UK name alongside established, local firms was a real reason to celebrate.
But the awards don’t stop there. Tony was recently shortlisted for his first national award - Logistics Leader of the Year at the 2023 Logistics UK Awards. His recognition was for founding GTS UK and his tireless work in leading the team, company and client relationships.
Under Tony’s leadership, overall company revenue grew by 70 per cent last year. Core Intermodal services grew by more than 10 per cent to over £10 million, while the GTS Group is at the forefront of investing in Intermodal capacity and providing a 360-degree service.
Meanwhile, Customs revenue increased by eight per cent and the income from the Supply Chain Management arm of the business increased by 39 per cent.
All of that said, the biggest success has been to build and develop a fantastic, committed team armed with the right values and a clear vision.
Aims for the rest of 2023 include continuing to promote green intermodal solutions and developing our customs agency offering so keep your eyes peeled for more updates.
We are also planning to expand our overseas business and develop the part-load LCL business that GTS has invested in.
You can hear more about Tony’s story on The Pacecast podcast, here.