How SN Transports built their logistics empire from the ground up
Overview
SN Transports set up shop in 2018. Back then, the company’s only employees were managing director Arbaz Saadat and his uncle. The pair joined CX shortly after their business began, initially operating with just one van.
Four years on, things have changed. SN Transports has grown into a formidable 20 truck-and-van fleet. They now operate on the Haulage Exchange – and are known as one of the biggest transport businesses in Lancashire.
Just this year, SN Transports have made 219 times their renewal price. Arbaz talks us through his journey since joining.
5 years
as an HX member
2684
positive feedback comments
21908%
return on investment
Approach
Arbaz first learned about the Exchange through a friend.
Before all this, I was an area manager of four Domino pizza shops. One day, one of my friends who worked for FedEx recommended CX to me. I didn’t really think much of it at first, but a couple of hard shifts at Dominos and I thought, okay let’s try this.
Arbaz Saadat, Managing Director, SN Transports
After taking a leap of faith, Arbaz partnered with his uncle, taking on deliveries part-time. But after a month or so, Arbaz began to see possibilities in building his courier business on CX – and later HX – full-time.
I saw a huge potential in this business. There were just so many jobs on the platform. There still are. I have a fleet of 20 and they’re out every single day.
Arbaz Saadat, Managing Director, SN Transports
He adds, “I knew there would be potential from the beginning. Still, it was hard to build a network at first. I had to take cheap work at the beginning. Honestly, if people think it’s easy, it’s not. You have to build your own business and network.”
And, after a few months, Arbaz started to make “excellent cashflow” from his business.
Once you know how to provide the service, you’ll be successful. It’s like any other service. If you work hard, you reap the benefits. For my business, it’s really easy now. I can’t tell you how much I’ve progressed with hard work.
Arbaz Saadat, Managing Director, SN Transports
Results
Arbaz started with one van. His goal was to grow into a small fleet of three or four. What he didn’t expect was the massive and rapid success he’s seen since joining the platform four years ago.
“Now we have twenty vehicles in our fleet, trucks and vans. I didn’t expect to have so many. I didn’t expect to get an office, a yard, and a storage facility either. Nothing like that,” he admits. “I can’t tell you how much I’ve progressed in this industry.”
When asked about the key to his success, Arbaz credits giving his clients a good service. SN Transports boasts 3669 positive feedback on delivery and 220 positive feedback for on-time payments.
“We don’t have any neutral or negative feedback. At all,” Arbaz affirms. “We give our clients a good service and it’s that simple.”
Conclusion
Arbaz has made a significant name on the Exchange, growing from a man with a van working on the Exchange part-time to “one of the biggest transport companies in Lancashire.”
While he admits the first few months on CX weren’t easy money, Arbaz also asserts that it was well worth it in the end, touting the Exchange as a “life-changing platform.”
31 people are working for me now, all through the Exchange. Imaging how great of a platform it is. We’re feeding 31 families; if you count my household that’s 32 families!
Arbaz Saadat, Managing Director, SN Transports
The Exchange is where Arbaz grew his network and exposed his business to big names. It’s where he learnt how to build his logistics empire.
Arbaz’s parting words showcase his gratitude. He thanks God for how far he’s come, how many people he’s able to support with a steady income, and his own courage in taking a leap on the Exchange five years ago.
“I’ve got two messages for everyone out there. Be honest and be a hard worker. It won’t let you down.”
Arbaz Saadat, Managing Director, SN Transports
Overview
Red Rocket Couriers began its journey seven years ago. Back then it was just Lee delivering loads in his trusty van.
7 years later, Lee’s transformed Red Rocket into a UK-wide courier empire.
With HX’s support, Red Rocket gained a new purpose – getting drivers loads. Earning accolades along the way, and consistently generating substantial revenue year after year.
In the past year they’ve made 16 times their initial investment.
Now the managing director, Lee talks us through his success story – one job at a time.
7 years
as an HX member
9320
positive feedback comments
1600%
return on investment
Approach
In the early days, Lee started by using his van to find loads and expand his network. “To be honest with you,” he states, “when I first joined, I just needed the money.”
Then something shifted a few years on. And Lee began to get his friends jobs off the Exchange.
It started with people ringing me up. And me ringing some drivers up. One driver got in touch with me, and I got him a job. Another friend called me up for a job, and I got him one off HX too.
Managing Director, Red Rocket, Lee Gueller
Lee adds, “I set myself a target. If I could earn £50 from each driver each day, that’s £250 a week. When I got to 4 drivers, that’s when things got rolling. That’s when I started seeing the other side of HX.”
Results
Lee’s proud to report that Red Rocket ranks among the “top 10 out of 4491 courier companies that offer jobs on the Exchange – and that’s in the past year.”
This comes as no surprise. Red Rocket has collaborated with big names like the BBC, NHS, ASOS, Boohoo, and more.
On our website, we claim we collect from anywhere in the UK in 60 minutes. To be honest, that’s because of HX. We get a job, put it on the platform and drivers bid. We go from there.
Managing Director, Red Rocket, Lee Gueller
Feedback is another area where Red Rocket excels. They have an impressive 1667 positive comments for delivery feedback and 7653 positive comments for payment feedback.
We use the platform to build a list of contacts. We’ve also built enough trust on it to secure direct bookings and get feedback from our suppliers which boosts our business.
Managing Director, Red Rocket, Lee Gueller
“Plus,” he adds, “the CX app is fantastic. Easy to use and find work. And we get to be one step ahead with the integration tracker. I wouldn’t use any other platform.”
Conclusion
Lee’s more than proud of how far he’s come. And we don’t blame him.
Without sounding like Jerry Springer at the end of his programme, I can only speak from my point of view. If you use the HX right, it can open that many opportunities.
Managing Director, Red Rocket, Lee Gueller
And the opportunities are endless. Red Rocket currently sponsors three kids’ football teams, professional boxers, charity raves and churches.
“All the money we’re able to give back to the community diversifies from the courier work we’ve done,” Lee explains. “Red Rocket Couriers is my baby. It’s mine. HX has given me complete independence. It’s given me my life. What you put in you get out.”
Much like the man himself, Lee’s business advice for all new couriers starting out on the Exchange is to-the-point and exceptionally encouraging.
Get your head down and put in the effort. That’s all it takes to make it on HX. Trust me: if I can do it, anyone can!
Managing Director, Red Rocket, Lee Gueller
If there’s one key to freight forwarding today, it’s efficiency. When a job comes in, you need to find carriers, fast.
Traditionally, you might have used your own mailing list to find a carrier. Equally, Whatsapp groups are now commonplace. At best, though, such groups give you access to a few hundred businesses.
On Haulage Exchange, freight forwarders have access to 50,000 vehicles.
To find a carrier for a load on Haulage Exchange, there’s no faff. You simply post the load to Haulage Exchange and wait for carriers to contact you – which they will, with quotes, within an average of 4 minutes.
Here’s how it’s done.
Step 1: Hit ‘Post Load’
Although Haulage Exchange grants you tech that improves every aspect of forwarding, there’s one particular aspect you’re interested in here: posting loads.
So, once you’re logged in to Haulage Exchange, simply hit Post Load.
Step 2: Add load details
Next, you’ll see a popup box asking you for certain details about the load. So, add the details.
Let carriers know:
- The load pick up point
- The load pick up time
- Where the load should be delivered
- When the load should be delivered
- The kind of vehicle you need (LWB? Curtainsider? Add it in.)
- And any other relevant details
Step 3: Post the load
Once you’ve filled in the load details, hit ‘Post Load’. Your load will be posted to the Exchange instantly.
If you’re posting a repeat load, even better: you can hit ‘Post Load & Save for Repeat Use’. That way, you won’t need to fill in the load details the next time the job comes in.
Step 4: Wait 4 minutes
At this point, you might want to make yourself a cup of tea. Or check your inbox.
You won’t want to get into anything too absorbing though: it takes, on average, just four minutes to begin receiving quotes.
Step 5: Choose your carrier
You’ll most likely get a few quotes from carriers… so you’ll have to choose between them. How?
Well, price is going to be a consideration. But carriers on HX also have feedback from other freight forwarders. So you’ll be able to see past performance and choose your carrier accordingly.
Oh, and all Exchange carriers have access to Trustd, pioneering technology that monitors compliance in real time.
By working with a Trustd carrier, you’ll always know who you’re working with and can always trust who you’re working with. It’s a new compliance standard in an industry where compliance is crucial.
Need load updates?
Not a problem. With HX’s tech, you can receive emails on load updates, you can make sure your customer receives load update emails, and you can even track the load’s location in real-time through our Freight Vision app.
As we like to say, with HX, freight forwarders don’t just get access to 50,000 vehicles on demand.
You get a tech suite to run make freight forwarding simple.
Interested in seeing HX in action?
Then register your details here. One of our team will call you to discuss your situation.
They’ll be able to talk you through how to use HX in more detail… and may even be able to offer you a deal.
In the UK, many freight forwarders work closely with couriers and truck drivers to move goods by road. With so much that can go wrong on the road, it’s super important to have a backup plan. This is where freight forwarder insurance comes in handy. It’s like a safety blanket, ready to protect against unexpected accidents and damages.
What is freight forwarder insurance?
Freight forwarders facilitate the transportation of goods mainly by road, but also through sea, air, and rail. Freight Forwarders Liability insurance (FFL) is tailored to shield these forwarders from unexpected damages to cargo until it’s safely delivered.
This kind of coverage is valiable, safeguarding forwarders from potential claims in the event of lost or damaged shipments that are out of their direct control.
Why opt for freight forwarder insurance?
Accountability is a key term in the world of freight. From the moment goods are handed over, the freight company is responsible for its safety.
There have been instances where unforeseen events, like harsh weather conditions or mishandling, led to significant cargo damage.
Remember the Ever Given container ship that ran aground in the Suez Canal in 2021? It blocked one of the world’s busiest waterways for six days, causing massive disruption in global trade, affecting the supply chain, and leading to hundreds of claims for damage to goods, late delivery, and contractual penalties.
With high compensation amounts at stake, insurance for freight forwarders becomes vital. Freight forwarder insurance alleviates the financial burden on the company, offering coverage against these kinds of unexpected setbacks.
What’s covered under freight forwarder liability insurance?
The specifics of the insurance may vary, but typically, it includes:
- Damage or loss during transit
- Delays due to custom issues
- Third-party liabilities such as legal fees
- Uncollected cargo
- Claims from senders and receivers
- Legal protection against unjust claims
- Protection against operational mishaps like fires or explosions
- Repair costs and recovery efforts
During the claim process, the insurer evaluates:
- Cargo specifics
- Service type (road, sea, rail, etc.)
- Subcontractor details
- Payment receipts
- Key documents, mainly Bill of Lading
Choosing your freight forwarder insurance
1. Identify your needs:
The first step in the process is to gain a clear understanding of your shipment requirements. The specifics of insurance for freight forwarders can vary significantly based on several factors:
- Transportation Mode: Whether you’re dealing primarily with road transport, sea freight, air, or rail will affect the type of insurance coverage you’ll need. Each mode has its own set of risks, and the policy should reflect that.
- Associated Risks: Beyond transportation, consider other potential hazards. Are you transporting perishables or fragile items? Are there geopolitical risks in certain regions you ship to? Such details can significantly influence the kind of protection you should be seeking.
- Customs Duties: Goods travelling internationally may incur customs duties, and complications can arise. Some insurance policies may provide coverage for unforeseen customs expenses, or you might require an add-on for such services.
2. Examine inclusions and exclusions:
Understanding the full scope of your Freight Forwarders Liability insurance policy is vital:
- Coverage details: Thoroughly review the policy details. Familiarise yourself with the specific incidents, situations, and damages the insurance covers.
- Potential gaps: Identify any areas the policy doesn’t cover. These exclusions can range from natural disasters to particular modes of transport or even specific regions/countries.
- Tailored add-ons: If you identify gaps that concern you, discuss these with your insurance provider. They often offer additional coverage options that can be added to your policy, ensuring you get comprehensive protection.
3. Verify Insurer Credibility:
Choosing a reputable insurer is crucial:
- Check reviews and testimonials: Existing clients’ experiences can provide invaluable insights. Look for reviews that specifically address claim processing times, customer service, and the insurer’s overall reliability.
- Look for certifications: Recognised industry certifications can indicate the insurer’s commitment to maintaining high standards and ethical practices.
- Beware of red flags: Extremely low premiums, lack of clear policy details, and aggressive marketing tactics can all be warning signs of potential scams or unreliable providers.
Conclusion
Shipping goods can be full of surprises, from sudden storms to unexpected world events. But with the right freight forwarder insurance, you can feel more at ease, knowing that your customers’ freight and your money are safe.
If you’re unsure or have questions, just chat with your insurance company. They’re there to help you out, every step of the way.
Once you’re set up, you’ll need subcontractors to deliver your freight. Haulage Exchange is the UK’s largest freight forwarders network with over 50,000 verified vehicles available at a moment’s notice.
