HRH The Duke of Edinburgh Opens Our New Headquarters and Warehouse
On 4 March 2026, we were honoured to welcome His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh to officially open our new Head Office and Warehouse facility in Witham.
It was a proud day for everyone at PFE.
The Duke toured the 135,000 sq ft purpose-built site, meeting team members from across the business, including long-serving colleagues with decades of service, apprentices progressing through our training programmes, and representatives from key customer and supplier partnerships. The visit concluded with the unveiling of a commemorative plaque to mark the occasion.
We were also pleased to welcome other distinguished guests including Julie Fosh, High Sheriff of Essex; Cllr Ray Gooding, Chairman of Essex County Council; Cllr Justin Wrench, Chairman of Braintree District Council; and Cllr Paul Heath, Mayor of Witham, who joined us to celebrate this important milestone.
Celebrating Our People
A key focus of the visit was our team.
His Royal Highness met colleagues from all departments, learning more about how the business operates day to day. It was particularly meaningful to introduce long-standing team members, some of whom have been with PFE for more than 40 years, alongside apprentices and trainees who represent the next generation of the business.
Reflecting on the day, 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-owned company, we have always believed that our strength lies in the co-operation between management and staff, and the loyalty of our customers and partners.
Building for the Future
The new headquarters brings together sea freight, warehousing, customs, haulage and national distribution services into one centralised logistics hub.
The development represents one of the most significant investments in our history and has been designed with both operational efficiency and sustainability in mind. The building achieved BREEAM ‘Very Good’ certification and incorporates renewable energy systems, electric vehicle charging infrastructure and biodiversity enhancements.
More importantly, it provides the space and capability to support our customers and partners for many years to come.
A Long-Term Commitment to Witham
Having called Witham home for more than 20 years, the opening of the new facility reinforces our long-term commitment to the town and the wider Essex region.
Since relocating to the new headquarters in November 2025, our workforce has grown by 45 per cent, strengthening our position as one of the area’s largest employers.
The road leading to the new site has been named Albert Way in honour of our Founder and Chairman, Peter Albert Collins, recognising his role in establishing and growing PFE over more than four decades.
Speaking about the milestone, Peter said:
“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.”
Reflections from the Team
The visit was a proud moment for colleagues across the business.
Gill Hardy, Customs Entry Clerk, who has been with PFE for more than four decades, said:
“It was a privilege to represent our department and speak about the work we do every day. I’ve seen PFE grow over many years, and to see how far we’ve come was incredibly special.”
Mark Emms, Head of Warehousing added:
“It was a fantastic opportunity to showcase the scale of what we do and the teamwork involved behind the scenes. Everyone pulled together to make the day a success.”
Luke Budd, who has retrained from Warehouse Supervisor to an HGV driver via the Apprentice Levy, said:
“It was a great experience to be part of the visit. It makes you realise how much opportunity there is here and how proud we should all be of what we’ve achieved.”
The day was a celebration not just of a new building, but of the people, partnerships and shared effort that have shaped PFE over more than 40 years.
The opening of our new Head Office and Warehouse marks a defining chapter in our journey as a family business. It reflects our commitment to responsible growth, continued investment in Witham and the wider region, and the ongoing development of our people. Most importantly, it reinforces the values that have guided PFE since 1984: collaboration, long-term relationships and a belief in building something that lasts for generations to come.
