EFS Global

What EFS Global does

EFS Global is a family-owned, Burnley-headquartered UK transport and logistics platform founded by Mark Jones in 1996 as Mercury Express. It operates through 22+ wholly-owned subsidiary brands (e.g., EFS Logistics, AFI UK, Andante Freight, Austin Wilkinson & Sons, PDQ Specialist Couriers, Pegasus Express, Tyneside Express, YDL, Pass the Parcel, Leeds Parcel Company, Tom Moorhouse & Son, Euro-Tran Despatch, Eminence Transport, Tooles Transport, Thomas Harwood & Son, Refrigerated Transport Services, FWD Freight Services), retaining the acquired brand identities and local management while consolidating back-office scale. The group's service mix spans UK distribution (pallet network, groupage, full loads), international freight forwarding (sea, air, road via IATA/FIATA/BIFA accredited entities), 24/7 customs clearance (AEO-F certified), specialist temperature-controlled and pharmaceutical courier services (ADR, GDP, WDA, MHRA), warehousing (300,000+ sq ft including bonded and BRC AA storage), and DVSA-accredited commercial vehicle maintenance.

Commercially, EFS earns revenue through per-pallet, per-load, and per-delivery transaction fees across its six core service lines, complemented by warehousing rates, customs clearance fees, and vehicle maintenance service charges. Go-to-market is sales-led via 40+ UK depots and an enterprise field-sales motion that targets medium-sized logistics businesses for acquisition, while distribution is amplified by memberships in every major UK pallet network (Pallet-Track, UPN, Pallex, Palletways, Palletline, TPN) and partnerships with APC, Pall-Ex, Fortec, XPO, and DHL. Underlying technology is a group-wide Transport Management System (live tracking, e-signature POD capture, driver app, live WMS) introduced in 2021 and an automated container devanning conveyor system at the warehouse layer — described as integration/interoperability and ease-of-use differentiators rather than AI-driven systems. The platform serves 2,750+ customers from SMEs to blue-chip shippers across UK distribution, European road freight, and worldwide air/sea lanes (excluding Russia and Belarus).

Name

EFS Global

Legal name

EFS Global Group

Website

https://efs.global

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

EFS Global is a family-owned UK logistics platform operating 40+ depots, 700+ vehicles, and 22+ subsidiary brands, offering UK distribution, international freight forwarding, customs clearance, temperature-controlled pharma transport, warehousing, and vehicle maintenance to 2,750+ SME and blue-chip customers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Burnley

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices34 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. UK Distribution Services: Pallet network distribution, groupage, full loads, and direct deliveries across the UK. Revenue generated through per-pallet, per-load, and per-delivery pricing models.
2. International Freight Forwarding: Sea freight (LCL/FCL, Break-Bulk), air freight (IATA accredited), and road freight services for European deliveries. Revenue from shipping costs, handling fees, and customs documentation services.
3. Customs Clearance Services: AEO-F certified customs specialists providing import/export clearances, T1/TAD transit documents, bonded warehousing. Revenue from clearance fees and documentation handling charges.
4. Specialist Services: Temperature-controlled distribution, pharmaceutical distribution, project forwarding/heavy lift, traction only, tyre services, container work. Revenue from specialized delivery fees and service charges.
5. Warehousing and Storage: Over 200,000 sq ft of storage across 8 UK locations including bonded warehouses. Revenue from pallet storage rates, container handling, order picking, and fulfillment services.
6. Vehicle Maintenance Services: Commercial vehicle repairs, maintenance, safety inspections, diagnostics, brake tests, wheel alignment for HGVs, trucks, trailers. Revenue from service fees and parts.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

EFS Global is a family-owned UK transport and logistics group providing UK pallet network distribution (groupage, full loads, next-day delivery), international freight forwarding by sea, air, and road, AEO-F certified import/export customs clearance, specialist temperature-controlled and pharmaceutical transport, bonded and BRC-accredited warehousing, and DVSA-accredited commercial vehicle maintenance. The group operates 40+ UK depots, 700+ vehicles, and 22+ subsidiary brands serving SMEs through blue-chip enterprises across multiple logistics verticals.

Product overview

EFS Global is a family-owned transport and logistics group offering a comprehensive suite of services across the UK and internationally. The core service portfolio includes UK Distribution (pallet networks, groupage, full loads), International Freight Forwarding (sea, air, road), Customs Clearances (AEO-F certified), Specialist Services (temperature-controlled, pharmaceutical, project forwarding, traction, tyres), Warehousing (over 200,000 sq ft including BRC-accredited and bonded facilities), and Vehicle Maintenance. The company operates as a platform organization with 22+ subsidiary brands acquired over time, including EFS Logistics, AFI UK, Andante Freight, Brad Trans International, PDQ Specialist Couriers, and others, providing specialized capabilities in freight forwarding, temperature-controlled transport, warehousing, and distribution across multiple UK pallet networks (Pallet-Track, UPN, Pallex, Palletways, Palletline, The Pallet Network).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• UK Distribution Full UK coverage distribution services including groupage, full loads, and pallet network distribution with next-day delivery available. Operates through multiple pallet networks including Pallet-Track, UPN, Pallex, Palletways, Palletline, and The Pallet Network (TPN). Targeted at UK businesses from SMEs to blue-chip enterprises requiring palletised distribution across the UK.
• International Freight Forwarding Comprehensive freight forwarding services by Sea, Air, and Road. Includes LCL/FCL sea freight, IATA-accredited air freight reaching over 700 destinations worldwide, and European road freight with groupage, part-loads, and full-loads options. Targeted at importers and exporters needing global multi-modal shipping coordination.
• Customs Clearances Import and export customs clearance services at all major UK ports and airports, operating 24/7. AEO-F certified specialists providing CDS customs software submissions to HMRC, T1/TAD transit documents, and bonded warehousing. Targeted at importers and exporters requiring post-Brexit customs compliance.
• Specialist Services Temperature-controlled, pharmaceutical, and project forwarding services including multi-temperature refrigeration (-25°C to +30°C), ADR-certified drivers, traction-only services, tyre specialists, heavy lift/project cargo, and container work with devanning. Targeted at food and pharmaceutical distributors requiring regulated transport.
• Warehousing UK storage solutions with over 200,000 sq ft across multiple locations including Manchester (Bonded), Burnley, Widnes, Tamworth, Caistor, Skipton, Bolton, Wakefield, and Gateshead (BRC Accredited). Features include container unloading, re-packaging, order picking, cross-docking, and HMRC bonded storage. Targeted at companies seeking outsourced warehousing and fulfilment.
• Vehicle Maintenance DVSA-accredited commercial vehicle workshop providing repairs, maintenance, safety inspections, diagnostics, brake tests, wheel alignment, and 24/7 breakdown services. Fleet maintenance for both own vehicles and customer vehicles with overnight servicing available. Targeted at commercial fleet operators and the group's own fleet.

Quantifiable outcome

• 200,000+ sq ft of storage capacity across UK warehouses
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Pallet-TrackcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEFS Global is a valued member of Pallet-Track, one of the main pallet networks in the UK. This membership provides access to palletised distribution services for consignments up to 6 pallets across the UK.
• UPN (United Pallet Network)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEFS was a founding member of the UPN network since 2001, providing palletised distribution through this network.
• PallexcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEFS Global is a member of Pallex network for palletised distribution services.
• PalletwayscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEFS Global operates its own Palletways portal for customer access to pallet network distribution services.
• PalletlinecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEFS subsidiary Austin Wilkinson & Sons is shareholder member of Palletline network.
• The Pallet Network (TPN)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEFS subsidiary Tyneside Express Transport is part of TPN enabling range of transport services from full loads to single pallets.
• APC (Independent Parcel Delivery Network)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLeeds Parcel Company and Pass the Parcel operate within APC Parcel Network for parcel delivery services.
• Pall-Ex UK LtdcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPegasus Express gained ISO 9001:2015 accreditation through Pall-Ex UK Ltd Network membership.
• Fortec Pallet NetworkcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPass the Parcel operates within Fortec Pallet Network for distribution services.
• XPO LogisticsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTooles Transport has forged strong commercial partnership with XPO, one of the UK's top logistics providers.
• DHLminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTooles Transport has operational partnerships with DHL for logistics services.
• Ecologi PlatformminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEFS Global is collaborating with Ecologi platform to support initiatives aimed at funding climate projects as part of sustainability commitment.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Culina Group: UK road haulage and temperature-controlled logistics operator following the Eddie Stobart Logistics acquisition. Highly comparable in scale, asset-heavy road haulage model, and ambient/temperature-controlled service mix.
• Wincanton plc: UK-focused contract logistics and supply chain solutions provider operating warehousing, transport, and specialist services. Most directly comparable UK listed peer to EFS in terms of service mix (UK distribution + warehousing + specialist verticals).
• DX Group (DX Freight): UK parcels, freight, and secure logistics operator providing next-day parcel, freight, and pallet services. Comparable in UK parcel/pallet network distribution and customer segment overlap (SME shippers).
• EV Cargo: UK-headquartered logistics roll-up built through acquisitions of freight forwarding and haulage businesses. Closely comparable to EFS in acquisition-led growth strategy and multi-modal service offering.
• Pall-Ex UK: UK pallet network operator; another EFS network partner and direct comparable in the palletized distribution space, serving the same SME shipper base.
• Palletways (Imperial Group): European pallet network operator of which EFS is a member; competes with EFS in UK pallet distribution and represents both a partner and a comparable business model in palletized freight.

Broad incumbents

• CEVA Logistics: Global third-party logistics provider with contract logistics, freight forwarding, and finished vehicle distribution. Comparable in freight forwarding and warehousing verticals.
• XPO Logistics: Large global asset-based logistics provider with significant UK road transport and warehousing operations. Broader portfolio but overlapping capability in UK pallet and freight distribution (XPO is also a Tooles Transport partner).
• Kuehne+Nagel: Global freight forwarder with strong sea/air/ocean forwarding capability. Directly comparable to EFS's international forwarding and customs clearance business at a much larger global scale.
• DHL Supply Chain / DHL Global Forwarding: Global logistics giant with substantial UK freight forwarding and contract logistics presence. Overlaps with EFS in international forwarding, customs, and contract distribution; much larger scale and brand.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/efsglobal
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/efsglobal

Compliance12 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries29 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A2 records

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about EFS Global