Port Talbot Company First GB Logistics Delivering For Big And Small Business

Warehousing and shipping goods can be a challenge for smaller companies but Port Talbot based First GB Logistics has the answers. From its headquarters on the Kenfig Industrial Estate it provides the same facilities for small firms as well as many of the bigger operators including John Lewis, Harrods, Asos, Next and Debenhams. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Managing director Mark Harding started with the company ten years ago but after five years he felt he could take the business further with the help of his dedicated management team. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

He explained: “I spoke to the owners and offered to buy the business and I was delighted when they said yes. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“I had my own ideas on how the business could develop and year on year we have grown. It has been hard work but with the support we have had from Neath Port Talbot Council and the hard work of our 45-strong staff we have established ourselves in a challenging market.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The company has large warehousing facilities at Kenfig where they pick, pack and ship products across the world including America, Australia and Russia. Many of the products they handle are from the luxury end of the market but they also deal with goods through Ebay. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

In Europe some of their key markets include France, Germany, Spain and Portugal where they supply over 250 boutique fashion outlets. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

In total the company has more than 125,000 sq ft of internal storage in five warehousing areas and can accommodate over 15,000 pallets at any one time. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

It also operates a 24 hour monitored security system both inside and outside the premises. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Mr Harding said: “We work with a lot of smaller businesses from around the area and are now getting lots of interest from the South East and London based companies who are finding premises, storage, staffing and shipping costs too high. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“We can dispatch their goods worldwide via various carriers which includes our very own courier service. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“We have grown steadily in the last few years and some of our success is due to the loyalty and dedication of the employees. I always like to employ families where possible and I have had a number of good workers through the Council’s Workways+ scheme. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“I am confident there is a bright future ahead for this company and for the businesses which have also seen the benefits that First GB Logistics can offer,” he added. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Leader of Neath Port Talbot Council Cllr Ali Thomas OBE said: “Full marks to this firm for the way they have developed and it is good to see they are helping the smaller companies as well who may be finding things more difficult at present. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“I am also delighted to see that our Workways+ scheme is helping the company and helping to get people back to work. It has been a very successful scheme for many people anxious to find jobs.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​