E-commerce and logistics company One World Express is to open a new global distribution hub in Birmingham, England. This is the first UK investment the international company has made outside of London and will expand the brand considerably.

The new 5,600 square metre Woodgate Business Park site will comprise of a warehouse and office space. The total investment, including refurbishment of the new site is expected to be in the region of £6 million. It is recruiting for 60 roles in logistics, sales, customer service, and marketing but will be hiring a further 80 staff on the site in the next three years.

Managing Director of One World Express, Atul Bhakta, commented:

“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. 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. It is a key priority that all of our clients are happy with our service. We have already been able to recruit a number of people, who are energetic and keen to learn, here in Birmingham and are hoping to appoint even more.

Owners of Woodgate Business Park, Birmingham City Council, have assisted One World Express with local recruitment through its Employment and Skills Service.

Cllr John Clancy, Leader of Birmingham City Council, said:

“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.”

The site has had a new, double mezzanine floor that almost triples the floor space available. The company has also invested in technology with one sorting machine able to handle up to 9,000 parcels per hour.