Part of UM Group
The business says that a combination of commercial confidence returning post-Brexit and the positive effect of a rebrand in September last year has helped drive an influx of new enquiries.
The enquiries have come from a combination of major blue-chip organisations and smaller customers seeking solutions to support their requirements for storage.
The positive start to the first half of 2021 means that the team at UM Terminals is also on track with the roll out of its own strategic growth plan.
The plan, announced to coincide with last year’s rebrand and launch of a new company website, consists of three main pillars.
Firstly, to maximise its existing UK capability both in terms of current assets and, where appropriate, expanding existing terminals.
The second pillar involves optimising the assets of the wider UM Group and its network of facilities in Europe and other parts of the world storing molasses but which could be used to store other products.
The third pillar concerns looking for appropriate acquisition targets that would complement the current UM Terminals offer.
One of the company’s biggest selling points is its adaptability, a willingness to problem solve customers’ individual requirements where it is possible.
This has been demonstrated recently with some of its new clients where the team has carried out major tank modifications to ensure it is able to continue providing best-in-class facilities.
This, in turn, requires a focus on partnership, not only with customers and suppliers but also with leading port operators, Peel Ports, Associated British Ports and Port of Bristol where UM Terminals’ tanks are located.
Bryan Davies, UM Terminals’ Managing Director, said: “We have been delighted with the progress we have made since undertaking the rebrand of the business and the launch of our new strategic growth plan in September last year.
“We have been able to secure several prestigious new clients and also continue to grow our relationships with other existing clients.
“The backbone for this success is undoubtedly the continued investment, worth many millions of pounds, that we are making in ensuring our facilities are of the highest possible standard.
“We are also proud of the fact that we have all of the various licences and accreditations that are necessary to be able to store such a diverse range of products.”
UM Terminals operates out of 8 terminals, strategically located across the UK, handling over 40 different products for our customers.
It currently has a capacity of over 300,000 cubic metres of bulk liquid storage, but the plan is to grow this to over 400,000 cubic metres.
Product solutions include vegetable oils, industrial, food and feed, chemical, fertiliser, fuels, biofuels and base oils.
Services include blowing, blending, heating, processing and sampling among others.
Other recent key developments have included the appointment of Vic Brodrick as the company’s Commercial Director.
Vic, who took up his new role in May, previously worked as a consultant with responsibility for sales strategy.
Vic has an extensive background working in senior roles in the oil, aviation and shipping and logistics sectors including spells with Essar Oil, Peel Ports and Peel Airports.
The company’s innovative Client Central Services team has also continued to go from strength to strength, providing customers with a wealth of important information including real-time data to make critical business decisions.
Based out of UM Terminals’ Regent Road Terminal in Liverpool, the service integrates all weighbridge and administration from across UM’s 8 terminals.
A dedicated portal gives clients instant access to essential weighbridge documentation and current stock levels for each tank. They also have a secure log-in and can access their data 24/7, 365 days a year via a desktop, tablet or mobile device.
Further investment in smart working practices and industry-leading technologies is planned over the coming months, benefiting both customers and the UM Terminals’ team.
One other interesting development has been the increase in the number of enquiries regarding biofuel storage, a trend the business is monitoring closely in the expectation that the hydrocarbon economy will shrink over the next decade.
UM Terminals employs over 50 people, working 364 – sometimes 365 days – of the year meeting its customers’ needs.
The company is a key part of today’s UM Group which has a distinguished history stretching back almost 100 years.
UM’s founder, Michael Kroyer-Keilberg, was involved in bulk liquid storage even earlier than this – he constructed his first tank for the storage of bulk molasses in 1911 at Victoria Dock in Hull.
The Group’s other services include the international trading of molasses, the sales and distribution of molasses and the procurement and marketing of vegetable oils for use in the animal feed industry.
Bryan Davies added: “When we implemented our strategic growth plan last year we were in the midst of the Coronavirus pandemic and still uncertain about the likely impact of Brexit on our customers.
“Thanks to the hard work, commitment and dedication of our team, the ongoing investment in our business and the loyalty of our customers, we remain on track with our growth plans and with further innovation and expansion in the pipeline.”
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