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Empowering students with Metro technology

Mar 5, 2025 |

In line with our commitment to social responsibility, we are excited to share news of our latest initiative to support inclusive education and strengthen our community: donating laptops to a remarkable school dedicated to supporting students with a diverse range of needs.

Located in Coventry, Sherbourne Fields is an all-age specialist school catering to pupils with a broad spectrum of needs, including physical disabilities, medical conditions, and learning challenges. The school prides itself on its diverse community, encompassing students from various social and cultural backgrounds. With a current enrolment of 250 pupils across primary and secondary phases, Sherbourne Fields offers a rich and ambitious curriculum designed to support each student’s unique learning journey.

Understanding the transformative impact of technology in education, Metro has launched a donation program to provide functional laptops to support students with special educational needs. By repurposing our corporate devices, we aim to enhance their learning experience, ensuring they have access to the tools necessary for academic success. This initiative not only promotes sustainability through recycling but also underscores our dedication to community engagement and equal access to quality educational resources.

The introduction of these laptops is set to make a significant difference in the daily educational experiences of Sherbourne Fields students. With enhanced access to adaptive learning tools and digital resources, students will be better equipped to engage with the curriculum, develop essential skills, and explore new avenues of learning.

A Message from Head Teacher Shivaun Duffy
This initiative has been warmly welcomed by Sherbourne Fields School. Head Teacher Shivaun Duffy shared her thoughts on its impact:
“The generous donation of laptops from Metro will empower our students, enabling them to learn in ways previously unattainable. We are deeply grateful for this support and look forward to seeing the positive changes it brings to our classrooms.”

Looking Ahead
At Metro, we are proud to contribute to meaningful change and look forward to seeing the positive impact these laptops will have on students’ education and confidence. We remain committed to fostering partnerships that drive positive change within our communities.

At Sherbourne Fields, every child is empowered to reach their full potential. Dedicated staff work tirelessly to create an environment that nurtures independence, achievement, and lifelong success. By ensuring that every pupil is fully equipped for life beyond school, Sherbourne Fields stands as a truly special place – one that is deeply worthy of support.

https://www.sherbournefields.co.uk/

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US and India growth strategies

Feb 19, 2025 | , , , , , , , ,

Recent senior executive visits to the United States and India reinforce Metro’s strategic partnerships, enhance trade opportunities and positioning the company for continued global growth in 2025.

With international trade facing shifting policies, evolving supply chain dynamics, and increasingly demanding compliance solutions, Metro is strengthening its international footprint to provide clients with seamless, efficient and reliable logistics services worldwide.  

Expanding Metro’s presence in the US

CEO Grant Liddell and Managing Director Andy Smith recently concluded a two-week visit to key clients, partners, and carriers across the United States. These meetings focused on developing new trade lanes, enhancing service offerings, and optimising routes from the US into Metro’s global network.

One of the key outcomes of the visit was the decision to establish a dedicated sales platform within the US, Metro Global USA. This expansion will strengthen Metro’s local presence and allow the company to support clients and partners more effectively in this crucial market.

With North America remaining a priority market, Metro is also collaborating with carriers, ports, and airports to ensure optimised routes and enhanced operational efficiencies. As the global trade landscape shifts, closer alignment between Metro and US-based partners will be critical to navigating new challenges and opportunities.

The US/UK trade balance in goods is evenly matched and hopes are high that a comprehensive US/UK trade agreement could provide stability, boost trade, and remove barriers to growth.

Both economies share similar structures and ambitions, making further collaboration a natural progression. A deepened trade and investment agreement could unlock new opportunities for Metro’s clients, ensuring more predictable and streamlined transatlantic logistics solutions.

Scaling up Metro’s India operations

Metro’s expansion in India is also gathering momentum, with Director Tom Fernihough and COO Chris Gavin recently completing a multi-city visit to clients, partners, and Metro’s Indian headquarters in Chennai (MISC Chennai).

With India’s economy on track to become the world’s third largest by 2050, Metro is capitalising on the country’s growing manufacturing and export capabilities by scaling up its operations and investing in new infrastructure.

During the visit, Metro executives secured additional facilities, expanded recruitment efforts, and initiated plans to establish Metro Global India. This new entity will include an operational and physical handling centre dedicated to a key client manufacturing across the country, increasing Metro’s local headcount to a level comparable with the UK.

With UK exports to India valued at £16.6 billion and total trade reaching £42 billion last year, the revival of India-UK free trade talks presents substantial opportunities. A trade deal would enhance Metro’s ability to facilitate faster, more cost-effective logistics solutions for clients engaged in UK-India commerce.

As India’s role in global supply chains grows, Metro’s investment in local expertise and infrastructure will enable clients to benefit from seamless trade flows, reduced lead times, and enhanced supply chain resilience.

Metro’s evolving global network

By reinforcing existing relationships and forging new ones, Metro ensures that clients benefit from a global network that delivers efficiency, reliability, and strategic advantage.

Combining global reach with local expertise, ensures that clients always have access to tailored, best-in-class supply chain solutions in every location, no matter how complex the challenge.  Consistent investment in key markets, digital capabilities, and operational scalability will position Metro as a leader in global logistics, helping businesses thrive in an unpredictable trade environment.

To explore how Metro’s partnerships can support your business needs, please EMAIL Peter Orange for more information.

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Shaping the future with Metro’s Apprentices

Feb 19, 2025 | ,

Last week marked the end of National Apprenticeship Week, an annual celebration of the positive impact apprenticeships have on individuals and businesses. However, while the event highlighted success stories recent figures on apprenticeship places paint a concerning picture.

According to the British International Freight Association (BIFA), apprenticeship uptake in freight forwarding has plummeted, with just 146 new apprentices enrolling in the International Freight Forwarding specialist apprenticeship in the last 12 months – the lowest number since the programme began in 2018. This follows a 27% year-on-year decline in 2023, highlighting a worrying trend in the industry’s investment in future talent.

At Metro, however, we are bucking the trend. We firmly believe that investing in people is the key to long-term success, not just for our business but for the freight and logistics sector as a whole. That’s why we are committed to developing the next generation of industry professionals through our robust apprenticeship programme.

To celebrate National Apprenticeship Week, we proudly hosted a special dinner for a selection of our staff currently undertaking apprenticeships across various business areas, including freight forwarding, HR, quality practitioner, and team leadership. Their enthusiasm, dedication, and passion for learning reflect the values we champion at Metro.

Our Learning & Development programme provides structured, high-quality training that not only enhances the careers of our apprentices but also strengthens our workforce. Apprenticeships offer a dynamic and valuable career pathway, blending hands-on experience with academic learning, and we take pride in equipping our apprentices with the skills, knowledge, and confidence they need to thrive.

By investing in apprenticeships, we are not just shaping individual careers—we are helping to secure the future of the industry. Apprentices bring fresh perspectives, new ideas, and a hunger for innovation, all of which are critical for businesses navigating today’s fast-changing logistics landscape. In return, we provide them with mentorship, resources, and opportunities to grow.

At Metro, apprenticeships are more than just training schemes; they are a crucial part of our strategy for growth, innovation, and excellence. While industry numbers may be in decline, our commitment remains strong. We are developing talent, fostering leadership, and ensuring that our employees, at all levels, have access to the best training and career development opportunities available.

Together, we are shaping the future of freight forwarding, one apprenticeship at a time.

If you, or someone you know, would like to work with a progressive colleague-focused business, please EMAIL Paul Moss a CV, with covering letter.

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Road freight resilience amid industry turbulence

Feb 5, 2025 | , , , , , , , , , ,

Despite rising costs, political uncertainties, and sluggish economic growth presenting formidable obstacles for road freight operators, Metro remains a standout performer, driving forward with an optimistic outlook, bolstered by sustained expansion and strategic investments.

The UK’s haulage sector is bracing for what could be its most difficult year since the Covid-19 pandemic. Businesses are contending with increased operational expenses, stemming from policy changes such as National Insurance contribution adjustments and minimum wage hikes. These factors place additional financial strain on operators already struggling with freight volumes and inflationary pressures.

Across Europe, the freight industry has struggled with stagnating demand, particularly in Germany, where truck mileage—a key indicator of transport activity—has continued to decline. While a modest economic recovery is forecast, growth in the road freight volumes are expected to remain tight, reflecting broader economic uncertainties.

Challenging yet recovering market

The European road freight market is set to experience a gradual recovery in 2025, with overall activity expected to increase by 2%. This is largely driven by a projected improvement in GDP growth across the eurozone and a stabilisation of inflation. The international freight segment is forecast to grow at a slightly higher rate, indicating renewed confidence in cross-border trade.

However, challenges persist. The UK’s fiscal expansion is anticipated to temporarily boost domestic demand, yet higher operational costs are expected to maintain inflation at elevated levels. The market-wide outlook remains cautious, with operators needing to navigate a delicate balance between cost pressures and service efficiency.

Positioned for success

Despite the challenging conditions affecting the broader industry, Metro’s road freight division continues to defy trends, delivering exceptional year-on-year growth. While many competitors have struggled to maintain volumes, Metro has expanded significantly, with a marked increase in team size and service capabilities.

Key to this success is the company’s strategic focus on expanding its European network. Recently introduced groupage services to the Netherlands, Poland, and Iberia are set to drive further growth, complementing well-established French and German routes. 

Additionally, Metro’s investment in less-than-truckload (LTL) and full-truckload (FTL) services positions it for continued success, ensuring efficient and scalable transport solutions across Europe.

By prioritising service expansion, operational efficiency, and customer-driven innovation, the company continues to outpace market trends. Metro’s proactive approach ensures its customers benefit from reliable, cost-effective, and resilient transport solutions in an otherwise volatile market.

To explore the potential and benefits of our road freight services EMAIL Richard Gibbs to begin a conversation.

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