Over 40 Years of Logistics Expertise: The MO Holdings Journey

When you choose a logistics partner, you are not just choosing a price or a service level. You are choosing a business to trust with your parcels, your customers and your reputation. That is why experience matters, and it is why the story behind CSM Logistics is worth knowing.

CSM Logistics is part of the MO Holdings Logistics Group, a group with roots stretching back to 1973. Across more than 40 years of combined experience, the group has grown, adapted and built a reputation for personal service, practical expertise, and dependable delivery support. Our team treats every client’s business with care.

This is how that experience has developed.

Where It Started

The foundations of the MO Holdings Group go back further than most people realise. AFFA, Abingdon Freight Forwarding Agency, was established in 1973, bringing specialist freight forwarding expertise that would become a core part of the group's wider capability.

A decade later, SandrAir International was incorporated in 1983 and became part of the MO Holdings group structure from 1984, adding air freight to the group's offering. Operating with close ties to Heathrow, SandrAir built a fast, efficient air freight service covering most worldwide destinations, with full consolidation services and complete IATA accreditation.

By this point, the group had already accumulated a decade of real-world logistics experience across freight forwarding and international air freight, handling the kind of complex, time-sensitive shipments that require both technical knowledge and operational reliability.

MO Holdings: Bringing The Group Together

MO Holdings was established in the mid-1980s, bringing together the group's growing logistics expertise under a single structure. From its base in London, the group developed a comprehensive range of logistics services spanning parcel delivery, freight forwarding, air freight and sea freight, serving businesses across the UK and internationally.

The philosophy from the beginning was straightforward: provide businesses with a reliable, personal logistics service, backed by genuine expertise and a team that could be reached directly. Clients deal directly with branch-based teams rather than being passed through a remote call-centre model. Just people who understood logistics and were committed to getting things right.

That principle has remained consistent throughout the group's history, and it remains the foundation of everything CSM does today.

CSM Logistics: Started in 1996

CSM started life in London in 1996 to supplement SandrAir and AFFA freight services, and is now part of the MO Holdings Group. Trading as CSM Logistics, the business was built to give companies direct access to the UK's leading carrier networks, including UPS, DHL and DPD, through a single account managed with the same personal, hands-on approach that had defined the group from the start.

From its early years, CSM focused on the things that larger logistics providers often struggled to deliver: genuine account management, direct access to the team, transparent pricing and a service that adapted to the client rather than the other way around.

Over time, CSM's service offering grew to reflect the changing needs of UK businesses. European parcel delivery expanded to cover timed and economy services across most EU destinations. Worldwide parcel delivery grew through the group's established air freight and sea freight capabilities via AFFA and SandrAir. Import services and fulfilment support were added to help businesses manage their supply chains more completely.

Today, CSM operates from multiple branches across the UK, with access to international carrier networks covering destinations across the world.

What 40 Years of Experience Actually Means

Experience in logistics is not just a number. It translates into practical, day-to-day advantages that businesses notice when things are straightforward and, more importantly, when they are not.

Knowledge of how carriers operate: Decades of working with UPS, DHL, DPD and freight operators means the CSM team understands carrier behaviour, routing, surcharges and service variations in detail. That knowledge helps businesses avoid costly surprises and choose the right service for every shipment.

Customs expertise built over time: Since Brexit, cross-border shipping between the UK and EU has become significantly more complex. CSM's background in freight forwarding, customs documentation and international trade goes back to the group's earliest days, well before Brexit introduced new compliance requirements for UK businesses. That depth of experience matters when customs paperwork needs to be right the first time.

A network built through relationships: The MO Holdings Group has spent decades building carrier relationships, depot partnerships and international networks. Businesses that open a CSM account benefit from that infrastructure immediately, without needing to negotiate it themselves.

Stability and reliability: A business that has operated for over 40 years has navigated recessions, industry consolidation, technological change, Brexit and a global pandemic. That kind of longevity is not accidental. It reflects a business model built on service, trust and repeat client relationships rather than short-term volume.

The Group Today

The MO Holdings Logistics Group today comprises three established businesses working in complementary areas:

AFFA (established 1973) provides specialist pallet delivery, international freight forwarding, and logistical support for UK and international businesses. With 55 depots in its nationwide network, AFFA delivers a guaranteed next-day pallet service, a 48-hour economy option and timed or booked deliveries and collections.

SandrAir International (established 1983) delivers fast, efficient air freight services to most worldwide destinations. Operating with twice-daily services into Heathrow, SandrAir provides full consolidation services, complete IATA accreditation and import services including customs clearance and door-to-door delivery.

CSM Logistics (started life in 1996) is the group's parcel delivery and courier service business, providing UK, European and worldwide parcel delivery, e-commerce fulfilment, same-day and next-day services, import and export support, and specialist services for businesses in fashion, automotive, engineering, healthcare, and suitable other sectors.

Together, the three businesses cover the full range of logistics needs for UK businesses of all sizes, from a single parcel to a full container load.

Accreditations and Memberships

The MO Holdings Group's expertise is backed by recognised industry accreditations and memberships:

British International Freight Association (BIFA): CSM operates under the applicable BIFA Standard Trading Conditions, as incorporated into its customer terms. This provides a clear and established framework for how consignments are handled, insured and managed.

UK Fashion and Textile Association (UKFT): CSM is a proud member of the UKFT, supporting businesses in the fashion and textile industry with specialist logistics, event courier services and regular trade deliveries across the UK and internationally.

Essex Chamber of Commerce: Active membership reflecting the group's longstanding commitment to business community and professional standards.

These accreditations are not just badges. They reflect decades of operating to recognised standards and maintaining the kind of professional conduct that businesses and regulatory bodies expect from an experienced, trusted logistics provider.

Personal Service: Then and Now

One thing that has not changed throughout the MO Holdings Group's history is the approach to client relationships. From the group's earliest days, the principle has been the same: when a client contacts CSM, they speak to a person who knows their account.

Clients deal directly with branch-based teams rather than being passed through a remote call-centre model. Every branch operates with a team that manages client accounts directly, responds to queries personally and handles any issues with the kind of attention that larger, volume-driven logistics providers simply cannot offer.

For businesses, this matters more than it might first appear. When a shipment is delayed, when a customs query arises, or when a client needs advice on the best service for an unusual consignment, the ability to speak directly to someone who understands your account is not a nice-to-have. It is what makes the difference between a problem resolved and a problem that escalates.

Working with CSM

Whether you are a business looking for a reliable parcel delivery partner for the first time, or an experienced shipper looking for a logistics partner with the depth and expertise to support your growth, CSM brings over 40 years of group-level logistics experience to every account.

Find out more about CSM Logistics, explore our European parcel delivery services, or open an account today to get started with a team that will know your business personally from day one.

If you would prefer to speak to someone first, contact your local CSM branch and a member of the team will be happy to help.

Frequently Asked Questions

When was MO Holdings established?

MO Holdings was established in the mid-1980s. The group’s logistics roots stretch back to AFFA in 1973 and SandrAir International in 1983. The MO Holdings group structure developed from the mid-1980s, while the current M O Holdings Limited company was incorporated in 1995. CSM Logistics started life in London in 1996.

What businesses are part of the MO Holdings Group?

The MO Holdings Group comprises three businesses: AFFA (freight forwarding and pallet delivery, established 1973), SandrAir International (air freight and import services, established 1983) and CSM Logistics (parcel delivery, courier services and fulfilment, started life in 1996).

Is CSM Logistics part of a larger group?

Yes. CSM Logistics is part of the MO Holdings Logistics Group, which was established in the mind-1980s. The group has been operating in logistics and freight forwarding for over 40 years across its member businesses.

Does CSM use call centres?

CSM’s model is branch-based account support. Clients deal directly with local teams who understand their account, rather than being passed through a remote call-centre model.

What accreditations does CSM hold?

CSM operates under BIFA (British International Freight Association) Standard Trading Conditions. The business is also a member of the UK Fashion and Textile Association (UKFT) and the Essex Chamber of Commerce.

How do I open an account with CSM?

Opening a CSM account is free and straightforward, with no minimum volume commitment. You can open an account online and the team will send your login details. Once set up, you can book deliveries, get quotes, generate labels and track shipments all from one place.