One day recently when we went to Eagle Couriers’ depot to pick up our newspapers, the store was awash with suitcases. The explanation was that due to the snow and bad weather many people had become separated from their luggage. It was clear they had a big job on their hands.
Now Eagle has bought out the UK’s leading company in ‘baggage repatriation’, THS Couriers allowing it to become stronger south of the border too. While Eagle will own the company, the day to day running will stay with Kevin Muir, who founded THS Couriers with his wife. Kevin said: “We have periods where it can be extremely busy, especially in the summer with tourists and people jetting off on holiday.
“We had an extremely demanding spell last year and were struggling to meet that demand. Eagle Couriers stepped in and helped us out for three or four days during this time. We knew from the get-go that there was a great synergy between us.
“They were looking for expansion in England and we had already established ourselves with depots and drivers down south. It was almost like a marriage waiting to happen.”
Formed in 2010, THS Couriers specialise in providing baggage recovery for major airlines throughout the UK, including Virgin Atlantic, British Airways, Emirates and Jet2.
The company handles more than 100,000 bags each year across 16 airports, from London Heathrow in the south and to Inverness in the north.
The buy-out will allow THS to strengthen the areas it currently services by creating more full-time positions and helping to expand the company’s 30-strong team.
Kevin added: “THS is keeping its website and its vans so the brand is very much here to stay.
“What the company is gaining is two-way support and stability for our employees.
“With the help of Eagle Couriers, we are confident that our team can continue to provide a quality service that quickly and efficiently reunites passengers with their lost luggage.”
By purchasing THS, Eagle Couriers has gained a foothold in the airline industry, further establishing the firm as the country’s go-to courier service.
Fiona Deas, Co-Director of Eagle Couriers, said: “Our business has transformed in recent years since following our switch to our new purpose-built Bathgate headquarters.
“This is a real milestone for us and we’re thrilled to have the THS team joining the Eagle family.
“We pride ourselves on being different to the industry expectation of a courier firm, and we’re certain the new team will allow us to turbocharge our network and our service.”
Jerry Stewart, Co-Director of Eagle Couriers, said: “The company has been on our radar for a while and we know that they provide an excellent service up and down the country.
“We are really looking forward to working with Kevin, and his team – their added expertise and manpower will galvanise our growth plans and catapult Eagle as a serious player in the sector.”
Eagle Couriers is Scotland’s leading courier firm with more than 33 years’ experience. More information about the company can be found at www.eaglecouriers.co.uk
Eagle deliver our newspapers to all city libraries for us.
Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.
