EFS Global
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.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1996
- HeadquartersBurnley, United Kingdom
- Headcount1,001–5,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
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).
EFS Global firmographics
Firmographics- 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
Where EFS Global is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Burnley
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices34 records
Markets served
EFS Global business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
EFS Global product offering
Product offeringCore 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
Companies that use EFS Global
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
EFS Global technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
EFS Global partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Pallet-TrackcoreEFS 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)coreEFS was a founding member of the UPN network since 2001, providing palletised distribution through this network.
- PallexcoreEFS Global is a member of Pallex network for palletised distribution services.
- PalletwayscoreEFS Global operates its own Palletways portal for customer access to pallet network distribution services.
- PalletlinecoreEFS subsidiary Austin Wilkinson & Sons is shareholder member of Palletline network.
- The Pallet Network (TPN)coreEFS subsidiary Tyneside Express Transport is part of TPN enabling range of transport services from full loads to single pallets.
- APC (Independent Parcel Delivery Network)coreLeeds Parcel Company and Pass the Parcel operate within APC Parcel Network for parcel delivery services.
- Pall-Ex UK LtdcorePegasus Express gained ISO 9001:2015 accreditation through Pall-Ex UK Ltd Network membership.
- Fortec Pallet NetworkcorePass the Parcel operates within Fortec Pallet Network for distribution services.
- XPO LogisticsminorTooles Transport has forged strong commercial partnership with XPO, one of the UK's top logistics providers.
- DHLminorTooles Transport has operational partnerships with DHL for logistics services.
- Ecologi PlatformminorEFS 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
EFS Global competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect 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
EFS Global social profiles
Digital presenceEFS Global compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance12 records
EFS Global financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
EFS Global leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
EFS Global subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries29 records
EFS Global funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
EFS Global M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A2 records
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about EFS Global
What does EFS Global do?
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.
Is EFS Global a public or private company?
EFS Global is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was EFS Global founded?
EFS Global was founded in 1996. It employs 1,001 to 5,000 people.
Where is EFS Global based?
EFS Global is headquartered in Burnley, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does EFS Global make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. UK Distribution Services are the primary driver. The others are international Freight Forwarding, customs Clearance Services, specialist Services, warehousing and Storage and vehicle Maintenance Services.
Who are EFS Global's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Culina Group, Wincanton plc, DX Group (DX Freight), EV Cargo, Pall-Ex UK and Palletways (Imperial Group). Broad incumbents are CEVA Logistics, XPO Logistics, Kuehne+Nagel and DHL Supply Chain / DHL Global Forwarding.
Does EFS Global have an API?
No public API is recorded for EFS Global.