Eagle Couriers to fight for global rivals’ customers

DELIVERY firm Eagle Couriers is going head to head with its much larger international rivals to deliver public sector contracts after securing a six-figure funding package.

The Edinburgh-based firm has unveiled plans to grow its turnover from £3 million to £5m in 2015 by targeting growth in its public sector business. The company, which was set up in 1985, already lists Edinburgh City Council, the National Health Service and VisitScotland among its clients.

But the firm, which grew its public sector customer base by 40 per cent last year, is now looking to snatch work away from bigger global delivery outfits.

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Fiona Deas, finance director at Eagle Couriers, said: “Over the next few years, our strategy 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.”

But Deas said it is important for public sector organisations to give Eagle a fair crack of the whip when considering procurement contracts.

She added: “As a small Scottish business, we are dependent on the support that our public sector bodies are able to provide. Whilst competition from 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 overall business grew by 9 per cent, which is obviously extremely encouraging. In order to continue to grow, we are eager to secure long-term contracts with public sector bodies.”

Eagle – which counts the BBC, BT and Scotland Excel among its clients – plans to add a further 20 vehicles to its fleet of 90 vans and has already added two staff to take its headcount to 110.

Derek Smith, business development partner at Clydesdale Bank’s Edinburgh “financial solutions centre”, which supplied the funding under its Investing for Growth strategy, said: “Eagle Couriers is a fine example of a successful business with ambitious and realistic objectives for growth over the medium term.”