The removal of the European borders in 1993 meant that Customs clearance documentation was no longer required for inter-community movements. This proved to be a significant setback, as the requirement for Customs clearance services at ferry ports such as Ipswich and Harwich literally disappeared overnight. With the early nineties recession to cope with and interest rates peaking at 14.8% base, this was a difficult period in the history of the business.

However, with strategic investment in new technology, the company was able to establish Customs links at all major UK container ports where the emphasis was now on ocean freight. Customs clearance services could now be offered on a national scale by a large team of Customs clerks working remotely from the Felixstowe HQ.

Fast-growing commercial use of the internet within the industry provided exciting opportunities for growth as the business advanced into the new millennium. The range of cargo handling services offered by the company in Felixstowe increased significantly and included Customs controlled warehousing facilities.

Whilst celebrating 25 years in business in February 2007, George brought son David into the Company as a director, initially to oversee the development of the warehousing operation.

A move to much larger premises became essential to accommodate fast expansion and so the company committed to new offices, warehouses, and a large haulage yard, unaware that the UK was about to face the deepest recession since WW2.

With strong leadership, good management, and experience of previous recessions, the company coped extremely well with the worst effects of the financial crisis. Regardless of the economic circumstances, the directors pushed forward with an ambitious plan to launch a container transport company, later establishing a group of companies that would provide a comprehensive range of shipping-related services.

Also in 2009, George’s daughter Sharon Binns joined the management team. One of Sharon’s earliest achievements as a director was to oversee the successful application for Customs AEO status. Sharon then continued to phase herself into the senior administrative position that George’s wife Libby had previously occupied since 1982.

With the company’s 3 core services continuing to thrive, the group’s ambitious growth into new markets continued with additional international air and ocean freight services being introduced in January 2014, quickly followed by European road freight services 12 months later, resulting in the formation of the George Baker Group.

With the Group’s expansion into Europe progressing rapidly, we were soon able to repeat our actions from 2009 and install an additional fleet of vehicles, this time offering curtainside distribution throughout Europe.

European branch offices have since been opened in The Netherlands and Romania, whilst David Baker has enjoyed continuous success as Group Managing Director having succeeded George in February 2017.

In fact, David’s achievements have enabled George to take further steps towards his retirement adopting a more ‘ceremonial’ role as Honorary Group Chairman since April 2019.

Now celebrating over 40 years in business, the ‘George Baker’ brand continues to represent true quality and reliability. This is a genuine family-owned and run business, incredibly proud of its excellent reputation. The Group seems destined to evolve, but the specialist Customs Brokerage service, for which the company is renowned, continues to be the heartbeat of the business.