Courier business takes off with Clydesdale Bank support

30th March 2012

Scotland’s largest independent courier company is to grow its operations after agreeing a funding package with Clydesdale Bank.

Eagle Couriers, which supplies delivery services to organisations such as BT, the BBC and Scotland Excel, is to invest resources in developing its public sector client base in order to boost its annual turnover to £5 million by 2015.

The new focus on public sector growth will see the business employ two additional full time members of staff to oversee business development opportunities, bringing the total number of employees at Eagle up to 110.  The business will also invest in up to 20 new vehicles to expand its existing fleet of 90, employing additional drivers to increase its service provision across the UK.

Clydesdale Bank delivered the funding to Eagle Couriers in the form of a six figure sum through its Investing for Growth Strategy – an initiative which helps successful firms to grow and develop.

Last year, the business grew its public sector customer base by 40%, and Financial Director, Fiona Deas, is confident that it can do the same again this year.

Eagle Couriers currently has contracts with public sector bodies including the NHS, Edinburgh City Council and tourism body, VisitScotland.

Fiona commented: “Over the next few years, our key strategy for business growth is to increase the number of contracts we have with councils and local government agencies.  Last year, we were very successful in this area, and we are hopeful of building on this over the coming year with Clydesdale Bank’s support.

“As a small Scottish business, we are dependent on the support that our public sector bodies are able to provide.  Whilst competition from our larger overseas companies is certainly strong, it is important that the government supports local companies like ours that can price themselves competitively and deliver services effectively.  

“Last year our business grew by 9% which is obviously extremely encouraging.   In order to continue to grow the business, we are eager to secure long term contracts with public sector bodies.

“The Clydesdale Bank team in Edinburgh has been very supportive, spending a great deal of time getting to know the business and helping us to realise our growth ambitions.  We could not have got to this stage without their support, and we are eager to ensure that this is a long lasting and fruitful business partnership.

Eagle Couriers was established in 1985 and operates out of three main offices - in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Bathgate, and subsidiary offices in Dundee, Aberdeen and Inverness.  At present, the firm supplies same day, next day and international services for over 3,500 organisations.

Derek Smith, Business Development Partner at Clydesdale Bank’s Edinburgh Financial Solutions Centre, said: “Eagle Couriers is a fine example of a successful business which has ambitious and realistic objectives for growth over the medium term.  

“The business continues to grow year-on-year, and its high standards have gained recognition from industry bodies, including the International Organisation of Standardisation (ISO).

“Clydesdale Bank is pleased to be supporting Eagle Couriers at this exciting time for the firm, and wevery much look forward to working with Fiona and the rest of the management team over the coming years.”