100 YEARS
100 YEARS
of Logistical Excellence
A century of moving the world forward. From humble beginnings to global leadership, our story is one of innovation, reliability, and unwavering commitment to connecting businesses across continents.
of Logistical Excellence
A century of moving the world forward. From humble beginnings to global leadership, our story is one of innovation, reliability, and unwavering commitment to connecting businesses across continents.
Context. Brief. Opportunity.
Mitchell Cotts first landed in Kenya as a subsidiary of the UK-based Mitchell Cotts Group, initially operating as a coal supplier for steamships that used the port of Mombasa, supporting the early railway and shipping infrastructure in East Africa.
Audiences. Segments. Industry insights.
The company quickly expanded services inland, notably to Nairobi and Kitale, as part of broadening import-export logistics tied to rail and seaport trade.
Strategy. Big idea. Positioning.
Mitchell Cotts became a key logistics and trading player across British East Africa, handling agricultural exports, shipping agency services, and inland transport during a period of expanding regional trade.
Campaign idea. Messaging. Creative system.
The company maintained operations linked with shipping, logistics, and agricultural exports at a time when East African economies were expanding under colonial and then early post-colonial structures.
100 year editorial. Coffee table book.
Following independence in Kenya and the neighboring countries, the company adapted operations to serve emerging national economies, maintaining its logistic distribution footprint.
Digital rollout. Content. Channels.
Mitchell Cotts in Kenya became fully Kenyan-owned, moving away from its former UK parent structure and focusing on domestic and regional logistics.
PR. Media. Events.
The company broadened from basic freight to clearing and forwarding, trucking, warehousing, and other logistics services across Kenya and beyond.
Measurement. KPIs. ROI.
Mitchell Cotts Group expanded its footprint beyond Kenya by acquiring Upstream Limited in Uganda, marking its formal operations in that market.
Budget logic. Investment efficiency.
Regional representation extended with operational entities in Rwanda and South Sudan, with Mitchell Cotts brand and services active in freight, distribution, and cargo handling in those markets.
Timeline. Phasing. Execution.
Mitchell Cotts has developed a major Air Cargo Terminal at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), Nairobi, designed for integrated cargo handling, including perishables and exports.
Budget logic. Investment efficiency.
The company unveiled Kenya’s first vacuum cooling service for horticulture products at their JKIA facility, aimed at improving fresh produce export competitiveness for flowers, herbs, and vegetables.
Timeline. Phasing. Execution.
Mitchell Cotts’ Seven Stars division and other business units are expanding project cargo and heavy lift logistics services throughout the East African region.
