A well-known Sunderland employer has rebranded, strengthening global opportunities for the business and its team.
Vantec Europe Limited – which has three facilities in Washington, two with the distinctive signage that can be seen by thousands of cars making their way along the A1231 Sunderland Highway, and Northbound on the A19 – is now officially called LOGISTEED UK Limited.
The name LOGISTEED combines the word ‘Logistics’ with ‘Exceed, Proceed, Succeed and Speed’, representing its determination to lead businesses to a new domain beyond the conventional domain of logistics.
The rebrand marks the organisation’s transition into the international LOGISTEED Group, which operates across 122 companies, 1,003 sites and 30 countries and regions, reinforcing the UK’s role within a major global logistics operation.
Martin Kendall, Managing Director, at LOGISTEED UK, said: “We’re delighted to now be LOGISTEED UK Limited. The change represents an important transition in the business, as we firmly establish ourselves as part of a global group that will open up exciting new opportunities for our business and for our colleagues.
“It’s incredible to think that a business that started out operating from a competitors facility as a logistics supplier to Nissan in the early days of its life here in Sunderland is now part of a global group, creating hundreds of jobs in Sunderland and across the UK, Supporting blue-chip clients in automotive, premium automotive, construction, electric battery, offshore renewable energy, HVAC, commercial lighting and fashion sectors The business has come so far, and this marks a bold new chapter for us – one filled with opportunity, innovation and global ambition.”
The business started in early 1990 as Autrans, before becoming Vantec Europe Limited in 2007 and now, in April 2026, LOGISTEED UK Limited
LOGISTEED UK has already strengthened its operational capability through integrating LOGISTEED operations in Basingstoke, adding specialist expertise in freight forwarding and project cargo. This broader capability allows the company to offer more streamlined, connected logistics services and improved end-to-end supply chain support. Capitalising on a global network providing one-stop services of Smart Logistics.
The transition will include updated signage, a visible symbol of change, as the firm becomes more integrated into the global group. It is now formally part of a global organisation employing more than 56,200 people. This provides significant opportunities for its 1,200 UK-based staff.
“The company has come a long way since we started out over 30 years ago, and we can continue to offer people not just a job but a career in a key industry, with fantastic opportunities as part of a global company if they want to progress,” said Martin.
“We really want to show people that there is huge opportunity in this sector, and outdated perceptions of warehouse work no longer reflect the reality of today’s logistics industry. This is an industry with so much going for it, and we’ll support colleagues to reach their full potential, whether that is through education, training or opportunities to experience work in different locations.
“We’ve got many colleagues who started working for us in operations and have progressed to team leaders, supervisors and operations managers, with others now managing some of our central teams, including Finance Training and IT.”
The transition will allow for greater collaboration with other parts of the group enabling the UK operation to offer a more comprehensive service, better connected operations and opportunities to share best practice and opportunities.
It will also provide a platform to showcase the cutting-edge innovation that is already happening at its sites in Sunderland and across the UK, to the global group. This includes interactive 3D technology – Virtual Interactive Experience (VIE) platform, which uses 360-degree and 270-degree interactive technology, developed by its internal team of programmers and 3D artists. As well as developing bespoke IT systems and DX solutions, including customised Dashboards and APPs.
“There was previously huge interest in the work we’ve been doing here within the Vantec Corporation, and it has already been exported to Japan,” added Martin. “But we now have a great platform to showcase what we’re doing and the skills of the team, there’s already been interest in the technology from LOGISTEED’s head office in Tokyo.”
LOGISTEED UK Limited operates within 13 sites across the country, with three of those being its own purpose-built sites, including two in Sunderland, a 40,500 sq metre head office at Hillthorn Business Park, as well as its 38,750 sq metre site at Turbine Business Park. The company also manages a 3,300 sq metre centre in Basingstoke. All three locations are strategically positioned close to major transport routes to support efficient UK and international distribution.
