CCL Logistics & Technology, the Scotland-headquartered logistics specialist, grew revenue by 23 per cent to £29.5 million in the year to 31st December 2021 [2020: £24m], while growing headcount to 110.
CCL’s core technology platform myCCL enables customers to seamlessly deal with multiple UK and international carriers, improves workflow and reduces operating costs. Founded in Troon by CEO Callum Bastock in 1999, CCL has an Innovation Centre at Strathclyde Business Park in Bellshill, and further offices in Derby and Aylesbury.
With a target market that ranges from SMEs to publicly listed companies, CCL operates a fully outsourced model, choosing to invest in people and technology rather than vehicles or warehouses.
Callum Bastock said: “We work closely with around 500 suppliers every month, which means our own customers have access to a world of logistics choice through one logistics provider, helping them to save time, reduce costs and improve efficiencies. This overall approach has underpinned our financial performance to date and remains at the core of our investment in myCCL, our technology platform which gives customers complete supply chain visibility.”
Callum Bastock added: “We are also looking at acquisitions to support our growth ambitions over the next five years. To date, our run rate has seen us double in size every three years, and we’d like to see our growth continue at similar levels.”
Commenting on the industry, Bastock said he would spotlight three key areas, namely capacity, sea freight rates, and digitalisation: “Capacity is starting to ease as demand drops due to overstocking, inflation and general economic uncertainty.”
CEO Bastock continued: “Sea freight rates hit the dizzy heights of over $20,000 for a 40 foot container in 2021, affecting all imports from China, however they are now dropping and even the most enlightened are unsure where they will end up. Another key area is the digitalisation of the supply chain and logistics sector, as carriers and customers look to automate workflow and logistics processes, through the networking of devices, systems and companies with one another. Big data is increasingly seen as the way to identify areas for cost reduction and efficiencies.”
To date CCL has invested over £10m in its technology offering and now has over 40 people working in its Innovation Centre in Bellshill, with headcount numbers expected to grow over the next few years, supported by a £3 million R&D grant secured from Scottish Enterprise in 2019.
The company plans to continue developing existing and new products to help customers, including sea freight tracking, warehouse productivity, customer delivery experience, and a supply chain Co2 emission calculator.
Commenting on CCL’s annual results and plans for further strategic growth, CCL’s Chair, Alison Loudon, said: “The business has a great team of passionate people and has built on its historic success with another strong year of growth. Callum and the team are not ones to rest on their laurels, and it is exciting to help guide the company through its next phase of growth.”
