Elanders in the UK is a key part of the Swedish Elanders Group – a global provider of integrated supply chain, print, and packaging solutions. Since establishing in 1985, Elanders has steadily increased its presence in the UK, positioning itself as a leader in the sphere of fulfilment and supply chain solutions. With its UK print headquarters in Newcastle upon Tyne, the company has grown to now employ over 700 people across the country – and shows no signs of slowing down.
The Elanders Group acquired its first UK business in 1985. Ever since, the UK’s importance to Elanders has been evident. As one of the world’s biggest markets, it offers an excellent opportunity to serve global clients from a strategic location. “The UK market is crucial for us.” explains Kevin Rogers, Managing Director, and continues: “Our presence here allows us to effectively support the needs of our global clients.”
Elanders UK’s journey
Throughout the years, Elanders has significantly expanded its operations in the country. Most recently the company launched ‘Bergen Logistics’, focusing on fashion & lifestyle sectors with a state-of-the-art fulfilment centre in Newcastle. This move is part of the company’s broader strategy to offer integrated solutions – from printing and packaging, storage, omni-channel fulfilment and last-mile delivery – powered by a global supply chain network.
“Most of Elanders expansion has been driven by our CEO and Group Management Team, from our Swedish HQ. We have made several acquisitions since 1999 and the UK turnover is now almost £200 million.” says Kevin.
Still, Elanders’ journey in the UK hasn’t been without its lessons. Reflecting on the expansion, Kevin acknowledges that earlier M&A activity in the area of UK supply chain could possibly have accelerated growth even faster. However, the success of previous acquisitions has only reinforced the company's commitment to continued expansion.
The United Kingdom – the place to be for Swedish innovation
Kevin and Elanders sees significant opportunities for Swedish businesses in the UK, particularly in the consumer market: “The UK is the third-largest market globally for e-commerce sales, which presents a huge opportunity for Swedish brands,” he says.
Another sector where Kevin sees Swedish presence contributing is in Automation and Technology. “A lot of UK businesses want to invest in automation, but they don’t know where to start or calculate an accurate return on investment. Sweden has some very famous names in Automation and Robotics, and I see this as a potentially large opportunity,” he states.
Additionally, Kevin highlights the growing focus on sustainability in the UK, an area where Swedish businesses, known for their environmental leadership, can help drive meaningful impact. Elanders themselves are no exception in this regard. With an ambitious plan to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, the company focuses on reducing emissions across the entire value chain. “This includes a goal to cut our CO2 footprint by 50% by 2030, and 75% by 2040,” Kevin adds.
Navigating the UK business culture: Insights from the Managing Director
As Elanders continues to grow its UK presence, Kevin offers some advice for other Swedish companies looking to enter the market: “The UK is known for being entrepreneurial, decisive, and fast-paced – this is a culture that Swedish businesses must adapt to,” he advises.
Besides this, he encourages caution about the nuances of British communication, where subtle phrases such as “that might be a challenge”, may imply significant difficulties, or even that something is purely impossible. “Other than these two points, it’s all about believing in your product or service, be clear and direct with your communication – and making sure to pass on the benefits to whoever you’re doing business with,” Kevin concludes.
What’s next?
Looking ahead, Kevin remains optimistic about the future of Elanders in the UK: “Future plans are to expand the UK business by supporting our global clients with more services in the UK, grow organically through driving more sales, and potentially more acquisitions.”
Elanders’ journey demonstrates that the UK market holds significant potential and vast opportunities for growth and Swedish innovation. With the right approach, Swedish companies can not only succeed – but thrive in the UK.
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