59pc revenue rise at Xpediator

Revenue rose by 59 per cent at Xpediator in 2017 to reach £116 million, and the company expects trading profit to be significantly ahead of last year, it said in a trading update.

The group made three acquisitions during the year and said the revenue figures included a contribution of about £10 million from them.

Chief executive Stephen Blyth said: “Road transport is growing across Europe driven by GDP increases underpinning commercial confidence together with the increasing consumer switch to ordering goods online. There is anticipated to be a shortage of capacity in the European transport sector due to equipment and driver shortages, however we are well placed to ensure continued services with a wide supplier base in addition to our customer base in Affinity. These are solid foundations for Xpediator to continue to grow and achieve our objective of becoming a European leader of the mid-market freight management sector.

“We are capitalising on the positive market environment and growing organically while executing our strategy of being a market consolidator through acquiring sub-scale business which are immediately earnings enhancing with the potential to flourish as part of the group. I’m pleased with the performance of each of the three businesses acquired during the year and their integration within the Group is proceeding in line with management expectations.

“We are also delighted to welcome Michael Grange into a new role as the Group’s Chief Information Officer. Michael joins after many years working for Tesco and is part of our investment in supporting the current and future growth of the business.”