ILA enters NWC market

JOY ORLEK
INDEPENDENT GROUPAGE operator ILA has embarked on a new growth curve which will see the company moving in on the North West Continent market through a string of recently-signed agency agreements. “We’ve always been strong in the Far East, India and Asia,” managing director Rod Taylor told FTW. “It was opportune that as we were preparing to penetrate this market, local industry upheavals resulted in a number of agents approaching us. The result has been a tie-up with agents in Germany, Belgium and Holland, which makes us a very strong player in the NWC.” In terms of exports, Taylor sees big opportunities for entry into the likes of Scandinavia and Eastern Europe, previously untapped markets for ILA. The agency agreements have already added significant volumes and the company will be looking for new staff to support the new business. “We’re already handling a high volume of southbound business from the NWC and will now be able to offer a very competitive rate on exports as well.” Taylor is also expecting to announce a new deal in the Far East. He was about to fly out to the region this week and hinted at imminent new developments. • Independent consolidator CFR Freight last week announced its decision to split from the Confreight Group of agents and to align itself with the Shipco/Saco group of companies. Thrutainers has since signed an agency agreement with Confreight while ILA has joined forces with several of Thrutainers’ previous agents.