Putting its best fleet forward, Sitra Group announces major acquisitions, asset investments, and more
Belgium-born transport and logistics titan, Sitra Group, has gone from strength to strength over the past few years. With over six decades of experience and a leading-edge fleet of specialized transportation vehicles, the company is primed for an even bigger year in 2024. Driven by a passion to deliver the best possible service to its clients, Sitra Group’s asset portfolio and operational footprint is set to expand further in the coming months, as General Manager for the UK, Michael Candela-Reyes, begins: “Sitra Group was founded in 1962. Over the years, we have grown rapidly, and the company now operates from 11 EU countries and 12 UK sites. We work with our own fleet of 1050 trucks, and over 2500 trailers, and those numbers are always going up. We’ve made several asset investments this year, with more on the horizon.
“We recently received delivery of a brand-new fleet of 100 DAF trucks. We’ve had a long partnership with DAF, and their vehicles are second-to-none. Like us, they have a long heritage in the transportation sector. We decided to invest in these vehicles, as we tend to update our fleet every two years as part of what we call the ‘regeneration program’, which is a total of 200 new trucks regenerating our fleet every year. This helps support the continued growth of the business and keeps our technology up-to-date. 
“In addition, the company recently invested in a collection of 80 new refrigeration trailers. This will help bolster our operations, as it allows for extra capacity within our network. Effectively managing growth means consistently updating our offering with state-of-the-art equipment, as this gives our team the tools they need to provide the best possible service. With the new fridge trailers, we have been able to support existing customers and even draw in new business,” he continues.
With its industry-leading fleet of vehicles, Sitra Group provides transport and logistics solutions to food product retailers and suppliers across Europe. As Michael details: “We specialize in transporting all food products with our three main verticals. These are bulk powder trailers and containers, liquid bulk trailers and containers, and finally, Frigo trailers, which allow us to load +25 C to – 25 C. We have a reach across all the EU, including France, Germany, Spain, and Italy. This means we can transport goods to and from a variety of regions. In addition, we have a customs team based in Dover, UK, where we also operate an ambient temperature and frozen warehouse. As the company has grown, we now also boast an established secondary storage facility in Bromborough under our Abbey Logistics unit.”
Strategic synergy
It’s more than just fleets and facilities that ensure Sitra Group’s position as an industry leader. The company’s impressive heritage provides its people with the connections and know-how to always be the best. As Michael discusses: “We are one of the longest standing competitors in our industry. With 62 years of experience under our belt, it’s hard to match our level of expertise. We also have strong, long-term working relationships with many of our customers. We’ve never let them down before, and we won’t start now. We’ve also invested in the right equipment, and today boast one of the most refined collections of specialist vehicles and machinery in the transportation industry. Additionally, we take a unique approach to customer relations, always seeking to find solutions and go the extra mile.”
The company made waves in October 2023, with the announcement of its latest acquisition. “Sitra Group acquired Abbey Logistics Group six months ago. This was a major step forward for the business, and Abbey Logistics has proven to be a great addition to our network. It has brought in many synergies throughout the business that benefit both our internal working culture, and our clients,” Michael enthuses.
Fleet investment
This latest acquisition is just one of many investments Sitra Group has made over recent months. These strategic moves are designed to prepare the company for considerable long-term growth, as Michael reveals: “Our warehouses in Dover and Bromborough have both seen major investments over the past 12 months, as we prepare to step up operations across the UK. We have installed new racking systems at both locations, this will improve our standards for our on-site teams and our clients’ goods. We’ve also ensured that both sites hold BRC accreditation. This is an independent food safety certification that is recognized by supermarkets and large organizations as proof that high food safety standards are in place and that a food company is safe to supply. Cleaning stations provide another value-added service that the Sitra Group is keen to emphasize. These are open to service our own and other fleets and are in Hull, UK, Sailly-sur-lalys, France, Villafranca Piemonte, Italy, and Panevezys, Lithuania.”
It’s clear that Sitra Group is setting the stage for significant expansion over the next few years. With big plans, Michael discusses where he sees Sitra Group in five years’ time: “Looking a few years down the line, I think Sitra Group will be at least double the size it is today. That means twice as many facilities, a larger fleet, and a much broader geographical footprint. We’re always making investments into our asset fleet, and I can see the business bringing in some exciting and innovative technology in the coming years. Additionally, a lot of our work at the higher levels has been about diversification. We want to make sure our offering is as broad as possible, so it’s exciting to think what we could be doing, and the kinds of services we could be offering, in just a few years’ time.”