One World Express, the international e-commerce and logistics company, is opening up a new global distribution hub in Birmingham.
For £3million, it has acquired a 100-year lease on the site, located at council owned Woodgate Business Park in Birmingham. The 5,600 sq m site, which has had significant refurbishment, includes a warehouse and office space.
“We have continually outgrown our premises since One World Express was founded in 1998, and decided in 2014 that we needed to expand outside the Southeast,” said Atul Bhakta, managing director of One World Express. “Birmingham’s central location and international connections – with Birmingham Airport offering direct links to our key markets – provide us with the ideal platform for further expansion.
“Although our new site in Birmingham will become a central logistical hub for One World Express, we are also employing a large number of people in customer services.”
The hub is expected to generate upto 140 jobs over three years – and the company’s overall investment in Birmingham, including the refurbishment of the new site, is expected to reach £6million.
“It is great news that One World Express has chosen Birmingham as its first UK base outside London, demonstrating how competitive it has become as a business location,” said Cllr John Clancy, leader of Birmingham City Council. “By locating in an area of Birmingham that is outside the city centre, the firm will also help to spread local employment opportunities more widely across the city.”
