New freight HQ opens in Witham
PFE Express Ltd was honoured to welcome His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh to officially open its new purpose-built Head Office and Warehouse facility in Witham, Essex, on 4 March 2026.
The visit marked a significant milestone in the company’s 40-year history, as His Royal Highness toured the 135,000 sq ft site, met employees, apprentices, customers and suppliers, and unveiled a commemorative plaque to mark the occasion.
Founded in 1984, PFE Express is a third-generation, family-owned freight forwarding and logistics business. From a single location with six employees, the company has grown to employ more than 160 team members across four regional offices, supported by a global partner network.
The new Witham facility represents one of the most substantial investments in the company’s history. Operational since November 2025, the site brings together sea freight, warehousing, customs, haulage and national distribution services into a centralised logistics hub designed to support future growth.
As part of the visit, The Duke met long-serving members of staff, some with more than four decades of service, alongside apprentices who have developed their skills through PFE’s training and development programmes. The company has long invested in apprenticeship routes and internal career progression.
The development also demonstrates PFE’s commitment to responsible and sustainable growth. The building achieved BREEAM ‘Very Good’ certification and incorporates renewable energy systems and electric vehicle charging infrastructure. The wider development included investment in biodiversity and sustainable transport links.
Having called Witham home for more than 20 years, the new facility reinforced PFE’s long-term commitment to the town and the wider Essex region. Since relocating, the company’s workforce has grown by 45 per cent, strengthening its position as one of the area’s largest employers and a significant contributor to the local economy.
The road leading to the new site has been named Albert Way in honour of Founder and Chairman Peter Albert Collins, recognising his role in establishing and growing the business over more than four decades.
Speaking after the visit, Adam Collins, Managing Director of PFE Express, said:
“It was a tremendous honour to welcome His Royal Highness to Witham to mark this important moment in our company’s history. This new facility reflects our long-term commitment to our people, our customers and the future of the business. We are proud to be investing in Witham, cementing our roots here and creating a space that supports long-term growth, opportunity and innovation. As a family business, it was particularly meaningful to share this milestone with our team, many of whom have built their careers with PFE over decades.”
Peter Collins, Founder and Chairman, added:
“It feels like the icing on the cake. With a real glow of pride, we can look at PFE in 2026 and reflect on how far we have come. From very humble beginnings in 1984 to our magnificent new premises today, we can, with some justification, congratulate ourselves on what has been achieved. It is a true success story, made possible through the close co-operation between management and staff, and last but not least, our reliable and long-standing partners throughout the world. Thank you, one and all, and not forgetting our wonderful clients, for contributing to PFE Express Ltd.”
The opening of the new Head Office and Warehouse marked a defining chapter for PFE Express, underlining its commitment to responsible growth, local investment and the continued development of its people for generations to come.