A NORTH-EAST logistics company is planning to capitalise on recent consolidation in the industry, which has seen two of the UK's biggest operators bought by rivals.

Freight forwarder Davies Turner, based in Newcastle, believes the recent mergers and acquisitions in the sector provide opportunities for smaller and medium-sized operators to serve the markets the larger companies are leaving behind.

And Philip Stephenson, joint managing director of the family-owned company, said Davies Turner could be ready to grow on the back of new business generated in the coming months from the changing structure of the logistics industry.

His remarks come after French transport group Norbert Dentressangle agreed to buy UK haulage firm Christian Salvesen for £254.4m last week, and after the sale of Eddie Stobart to Westbury, in August, for £138m.

Mr Stephenson said the company was investing significantly in its IT infrastructure to offer a strong service across Europe.

He said: "We feel that the bigger the multi-nationals become, the better, because they leave business openings they cannot take on but which we can move into.

"We believe there are going to be many such opportunities for us over the next few years."

The firm operates from three divisions: Davies Turner Air Cargo, which specialises in air freight; Davies Turner & Co, which covers sea freight, overland trailer services, logistics and warehousing; and Davies Turner Worldwide Movers, which specialises in international relocations and fine art packing.