Raptor Logistics Group, the parent company of We Prep E-commerce Logistics & Fulfilment, has taken another significant step in its long-term growth strategy by acquiring Express Prep, thereby expanding its e-commerce fulfilment capabilities and strengthening its integrated logistics offering.

Since founding the business, joint directors Fred Benfield and Arthur Horrigan have transformed it from a specialist e-commerce fulfilment provider into a growing logistics group, combining organic growth with carefully targeted acquisitions to broaden its capabilities and national reach.

Completed on 11 June 2026, the acquisition follows the successful integration of D&M Logistic Solutions and further enhances the group’s fulfilment expertise. Today, Raptor Logistics Group brings together We Prep, which provides e-commerce fulfilment services; We Ship Global Forwarding, which delivers international freight-forwarding solutions; and D&M Logistic Solutions, which offers warehousing, customs, and transport services. Operating from multiple locations across the region, the businesses provide customers with a seamless, end-to-end logistics solution through a single connected group.

The Express Prep transaction was completed in less than a week from the initial approach, with customers successfully onboarded, stock transferred, and operations integrated at We Prep’s headquarters, Raptor House, in Stowmarket. The former Express Prep site in Calne has now closed, while the Express Prep brand and website will continue to generate enquiries for the wider group.

The acquisition has already delivered a six-figure increase in annual revenue, demonstrating the immediate commercial impact of the successful integration. It also gives Express Prep customers immediate access to the group’s broader capabilities, including freight forwarding, warehousing, customs and transport expertise.

Fred Benfield, Joint Founder and Director of Raptor Logistics Group, said:

“Every acquisition has to strengthen the business and create additional value for our customers. Express Prep was an excellent strategic fit, and we’re delighted to welcome its customers to the group. What has been particularly rewarding is seeing our teams work together to deliver a smooth transition. Our focus is always on ensuring customers see the benefits from day one. When an acquisition strengthens our capabilities and the transition is seamless, that’s when we know we’ve got it right.”

For the founders, the acquisition marks another step towards their vision of building a connected logistics group, enabling businesses to access more services through a single trusted partner while maintaining the responsive, customer-focused approach on which the company has built its reputation.

The integration is already delivering commercial and operational benefits, with new customer accounts successfully onboarded and specialist brands, including Brick Me, GF Yourself and Wild Source, now supported by the We Prep team.

Rie Kewley, General Manager at We Prep E-commerce Logistics & Fulfilment, said:

“We’re excited to welcome these new brands to the business. Their fulfilment requirements align with our strengths, and it’s been fantastic to see the team deliver a smooth transition while maintaining the high standards of service our customers expect.”

Shane Gould, former owner of Express Prep, added:

“From the outset, it was clear that Raptor Logistics Group shared our commitment to customer service. I’m confident our customers are in safe hands and that the business will continue to thrive within the group.”

The successful integration of Express Prep marks another important milestone in Raptor Logistics Group’s journey. By uniting complementary businesses within a single connected group, Fred Benfield and Arthur Horrigan continue to invest in broader capabilities, expand the group’s national reach and strengthen its position as a trusted logistics partner for businesses across the UK.

Picture shows, from left to right: Chelsea Lawson, Anna-Maria Matuszek, Stuart Hayter, Tom Goldstein (Brick Me – a new customer), Matt Moriarty, Anne-Marie Kewley, Saida Aviziniene, Dan Canham (lying down).

For much of the past five years, the logistics industry has been forced to respond to one challenge after another. Brexit, the pandemic, geopolitical instability, inflation and shifting trade patterns have all tested the resilience of global supply chains.

However, at Multimodal 2026, the conversation had noticeably evolved.

Rather than asking how to cope with uncertainty, delegates discussed how technology, collaboration and improved operational planning can give businesses greater certainty in an increasingly complex world. That shift in thinking was evident throughout the exhibition and conference programme, perhaps explaining why this year’s event proved to be the most successful in the show’s history.

Held at the NEC Birmingham as the flagship event of UK Logistics Week, Multimodal welcomed 14,676 visitors over three days – a provisional 7.5% increase on the previous year – while more than 300 exhibitors showcased products and services across every aspect of freight, transport and logistics.

Co-located with Warehouse, Yard, eDelivery Expo and the Road Transport Expo (RTX), the exhibition once again highlighted the growing connectivity of modern supply chains, bringing together ports, shipping lines, rail operators, hauliers, freight forwarders, warehousing specialists and technology providers to exchange ideas, build relationships and explore new opportunities.

From the moment the doors opened, the exhibition floor reflected a sector looking ahead. While commercial pressures remain, conversations focused on practical solutions that deliver measurable improvements today. Artificial intelligence, automation, digital integration and operational intelligence featured prominently, with technology increasingly judged not by its innovation but by the commercial value it delivers.

That evolution was evident throughout the conference programme.

Across five theatres, more than 120 speakers explored the issues shaping logistics’ future. Artificial intelligence remained a dominant theme, but the debate has clearly matured. Rather than questioning whether AI belongs in logistics, speakers focused on how businesses are already using it to improve planning, optimise operations and support faster, better-informed decisions.

Supply chain resilience remained another major theme as businesses continue to navigate geopolitical uncertainty, changing trade patterns, infrastructure constraints and rising operating costs. The emphasis was no longer simply on improving visibility, but on using better information to make faster decisions, adapt operations and deliver greater certainty for customers.

That message resonated particularly strongly with the ports and intermodal sector. One of the standout sessions, Turning Operational Complexity into Certainty, brought together Craig Bickley, General Manager Intermodal at Maritime Transport, and Jim Slade, UK Commercial Director at Fargo Group, to explore how operators are moving beyond simply tracking containers to create more predictable, reliable supply chains. Their discussion captured a theme that echoed throughout the exhibition: visibility alone is no longer enough. Real value comes from turning data into better decisions, greater operational control, and, ultimately, greater certainty.

Government policy, rail reform, customs processes, and infrastructure investment also featured prominently, underscoring the importance of efficient freight networks to UK economic growth. Sustainability remained firmly on the agenda, though increasingly through a commercial lens, with many sessions showing that reducing emissions often goes hand in hand with improving productivity through better asset utilisation, smarter planning, and fewer empty miles.

People remained as important as technology. Skills shortages, leadership, and workforce development were prominent throughout the programme. At the same time, a new student initiative introduced school and college students to the breadth of careers available in today’s logistics sector, underscoring the importance of attracting the next generation to the industry.

Beyond the conference programme, Multimodal continued to demonstrate one of its greatest strengths: bringing the industry together. In an increasingly digital world, face-to-face meetings remain invaluable for building relationships, sharing knowledge and generating new business opportunities.

The event also celebrated excellence through the Multimodal Awards, recognising outstanding achievement across the maritime, road, rail and air freight sectors and showcasing the innovation and professionalism driving the industry forward.

Reflecting on the event, Robert Jervis, Multimodal Show Director, remarked:

“Multimodal 2026 has been an outstanding show. The energy on the floor, the calibre of conversation in our theatres, and a 7.5% rise in visitor numbers all point to an industry that continues to see huge value in coming together in person. From getting a train to the NEC to accommodating the England World Cup match, the organising team, as ever, did a tremendous job.”

The record visitor numbers underline Multimodal’s continued growth, but perhaps more importantly, they reflect an industry looking ahead. The conversations throughout the three-day event were no longer centred on simply managing disruption, but on improving decision-making, strengthening resilience and investing in technologies and partnerships that deliver tangible commercial value.

If Multimodal 2026 revealed one overarching message, it was that logistics is entering its next chapter with greater confidence. Whether the discussion centred on artificial intelligence, customs, sustainability, skills or intermodal operations, the underlying objective was remarkably consistent: helping businesses turn complexity into certainty.

With exhibition sales for next year already reported to be ahead of schedule, Multimodal 2027 will return to the NEC Birmingham from 29 June to 1 July 2027.

Colvanbridge Ltd has enhanced its transport and warehousing offering by introducing a new daily freight service between the UK and Ireland and by increasing storage capacity at its Essex facility.

The developments reflect Colvanbridge’s ongoing commitment to enhancing its capabilities and delivering integrated logistics solutions.

The new daily service will offer customers greater frequency, consistency and flexibility for freight movements between the UK and Ireland, supporting both regular traffic flows and ad hoc shipments. The improved schedule is designed to help businesses maintain efficient, reliable supply chains between the two markets.

Alongside the service expansion, Colvanbridge has added further warehousing space, with the new capacity fully racked and available to customers. The additional storage capacity provides greater agility for businesses managing changing operational and supply chain demands.

Carl Hartshorne, Operations Director at Colvanbridge Ltd, said:

“These investments are about giving our customers more options and greater operational certainty. The daily UK-Ireland service enhances our ability to support freight movements between two key trading markets. At the same time, the additional warehousing capacity enables us to respond more effectively to evolving customer requirements.

“We’re seeing growing demand for flexible logistics solutions that integrate transport and storage, and these developments ensure we’re well-positioned to continue meeting our customers’ needs. By continuing to invest in our infrastructure and services, we’re strengthening our ability to deliver reliable, scalable solutions that help keep supply chains moving.”

Colvanbridge, which provides road freight, warehousing and logistics services across the UK, Ireland and Europe, continues to develop its operational capabilities to support businesses operating in increasingly dynamic supply chain environments.

The latest expansion reinforces Colvanbridge’s position as a provider of integrated logistics solutions, combining freight expertise with warehousing capability to help businesses across the UK, Ireland and Europe manage increasingly complex supply chains.

Multimodal 2026 is set to welcome thousands of logistics, freight and supply chain professionals to the NEC Birmingham later this month as the industry’s flagship exhibition returns for what organisers expect to be its largest edition to date.

Taking place from 30 June to 2 July, the event follows a record-breaking 2025, which saw visitor numbers rise by 4%, and will also serve as the flagship event of the inaugural UK Logistics Week, bringing together the wider logistics, warehousing, transport and supply chain sectors.

Bringing together exhibitors, industry associations, technology providers, ports, shipping lines, hauliers and supply chain specialists, Multimodal remains one of the few events to represent the entire logistics sector under one roof.

Robert Jervis, Multimodal Show Director, said: “The logistics sector continues to face significant challenges and opportunities, from AI adoption and sustainability targets to skills shortages, infrastructure pressures and supply chain resilience. What makes Multimodal unique is its ability to bring every part of the supply chain together in one place, creating an environment where businesses can share ideas and have the conversations that will shape the industry’s future.

“The event’s continued growth reflects the importance of collaboration across ports, shipping lines, rail operators, hauliers, technology providers and cargo owners. As the industry evolves, those connections and conversations have never been more valuable.”

Visitors will have access to more than 100 conference sessions across five dedicated theatres, covering topics such as artificial intelligence, sustainability, customs compliance, supply chain resilience, workforce development and the future of freight transport.

Confirmed speakers for this year’s programme include representatives from DP World, DB Cargo, the Chartered Institute of Export & International Trade, LeShuttle Freight, National Highways and the Port of Boulogne Calais.

This year’s exhibition floor will host hundreds of exhibitors from across the logistics sector, including major ports, shipping lines, freight operators, technology providers and supply chain specialists. Organisations such as MSC, Maersk, CLdN, Malcolm Logistics, Maritime Transport, IntelliLog and Fargo Group will be among those showcasing the services, technologies and innovations shaping the future of logistics and supply chain operations.

 Alongside the exhibition and conference programme, attendees will also be able to take part in a range of networking events, including the annual Multimodal Awards and After Party at the Vox Conference Centre on the opening evening of the show, followed by the Multimodal Mixer in the main exhibition hall on the second evening.

A key feature of this year’s event will be a dedicated focus on attracting future talent to the logistics sector. The final day of the exhibition will welcome school and college students to the NEC as part of a major industry skills initiative, offering opportunities to meet employers, learn about apprenticeships and explore career pathways across freight, logistics and supply chain management.

Participating organisations include Logistics UK, the British International Freight Association (BIFA), the UK Warehousing Association (UKWA), the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) and the Cold Chain Federation.

The event is expected to draw a significant contingent from the Haven Ports and the wider East of England logistics community, underscoring the region’s importance as one of the UK’s leading logistics, shipping and supply chain hubs.

With major ports, shipping lines, hauliers, technology providers and supply chain specialists represented, Multimodal continues to offer one of the industry’s most important opportunities to connect, collaborate and explore the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of logistics.

Multimodal 2026 takes place at the NEC Birmingham from 30 June to 2 July. Attendance is free for industry professionals. To register and plan your visit here.

As the logistics industry prepares for Multimodal 2026, from 30 June to 2 July, this year’s event is expected to reflect a sector under growing operational pressure and rapid transformation.

Rising costs, sustainability targets, shifting customer expectations and increasing supply chain complexity are reshaping how logistics businesses operate across transport, warehousing, ports, fulfilment and distribution networks.

The launch of UK Logistics Week alongside Multimodal 2026 also reflects how interconnected the industry has become. Transport, warehousing, yard operations, logistics technology and last-mile delivery are increasingly seen as part of a single operational ecosystem rather than as standalone functions.

What UK Logistics Week arguably reflects most clearly is the growing convergence of logistics. Warehousing, transport, yard operations, fulfilment, and technology are no longer operating in isolation. Increasingly, operational performance – and the ability to improve efficiency and sustainability at scale – depends on how effectively those environments connect, communicate and respond together in live operational conditions.

While AI, automation and visibility technologies are expected to dominate many conversations across the exhibition halls and conference stages, operational execution may emerge as one of the defining themes of this year’s event.

As interest in AI accelerates across the sector, many operators are now looking beyond headline innovation to focus more closely on practical operational value, workflow integration, and decision-making speed.

In recent years, the industry has invested heavily in visibility. Operators can now access more data than ever across supply chains and logistics networks.

The challenge now is what happens next.

In many operations, the problem is no longer a lack of information. It is the growing gap between visibility and coordinated action.

For many logistics businesses, the issue is no longer simply identifying disruption – it is responding to it quickly enough across fragmented operational environments.

Port congestion, changing ETA windows, slot availability, customs readiness, rail scheduling, warehouse pressures, and driver allocation continue to strain day-to-day execution. Delays in one part of the network can quickly create operational and financial consequences elsewhere.

As logistics operations become more interconnected across transport, warehousing, fulfilment and distribution, they also become more dependent on coordination among multiple providers, systems and operational environments.

That shift is expected to shape many of the discussions at Multimodal 2026.

Robert Jervis, Multimodal Show Director, said: “Multimodal has always reflected the changing priorities of the logistics industry, and this year we expect to see strong discussion around resilience, operational efficiency, connectivity and the practical role technology can play across increasingly integrated supply chains.”

He added: “The launch of UK Logistics Week also reflects how closely linked different parts of the logistics sector have now become operationally.”

For many visitors, that wider operational picture is becoming increasingly important.

As the industry gathers in Birmingham this summer, one of the defining questions may not simply be how supply chains become more connected – but whether increasingly complex logistics networks can operate with the speed, coordination and resilience modern supply chains now demand.

Uniserve, part of GB Global, is proud to announce a new partnership with Veterans Job Board, strengthening its commitment to supporting ex-military personnel as they transition into civilian careers within the GB Global Group.

Veterans Job Board plays a vital role in connecting job seekers with military backgrounds to employers seeking highly skilled, disciplined, and adaptable candidates. Through this collaboration, GB Global will provide meaningful career opportunities and pathways for veterans entering the logistics sector.

We’re fortunate to have many ex-service personnel in our organisation, whose experience, leadership, and work ethic continue to make a significant impact. The company is excited to build on this foundation and support even more veterans in kickstarting their careers within the industry.

Those interested in exploring current opportunities at Uniserve and GB Global can find out more here.

As part of this initiative, Uniserve has also spoken with two colleagues who previously served in the military to learn more about their transition to civilian life and how they are progressing within the logistics industry. Their stories highlight the valuable contributions veterans bring to the workforce and the opportunities available within the sector.

Read more about their journeys here, and discover how Uniserve is supporting veterans in building successful post-service careers.