How Direct Connect Logistics built a 18-vehicle fleet with HX

When Rhys Hackling launched Direct Connect Logistics over a decade ago, he didn’t have a single direct customer lined up.

“I had two vehicles, no work, and a very basic understanding of what the future might hold,” he recalls.

Today, Direct Connect Logistics runs a fleet of 18 vehicles, serves hundreds of repeat clients, and turns over thousands of loads each month—95% of which are from Haulage Exchange.

From liquidation to fresh opportunity

Rhys originally ran an air conditioning firm and briefly took over a haulage company. That business eventually went under, but the exposure gave him an early insight into what wasn’t working, and what could.

I’d seen how underutilised fleets were. When I found HX, I thought, ‘This is it.’ The platform let us focus on utilisation, not chasing contracts.

Rhys Hackling, Direct Connect Logistics

Just a few years later, Direct Connect Logistics was born.

Growing with confidence

From the start, Rhys was committed to growing sustainably. His approach was simple: test, learn, and expand only when the business could handle it.

We started with two 7.5-tonners. I wanted to see if we could run everything through HX—and we did. That gave me the confidence to invest in truck number three, then four, and so on.

Rhys Hackling, Direct Connect Logistics

The growth followed a clear pattern:

• 2 trucks became 4
• 4 became 6
• 6 grew into 12
• Today, Direct Connect Logistics operates 18 vehicles, including a growing number of 18-tonners

And this wasn’t guesswork. “HX gave us the visibility to spot demand. Before we added any 18-tonners, we’d already identified customers looking for that capacity.”

HX as the operating system

Unlike some hauliers who use HX for backloads, Direct Connect Logistics uses the platform for their full operation.

Rhys estimates only 2-5% of their monthly work comes from direct customers. Everything else runs through Haulage Exchange.

Even their back office is built around the tools available:

What powers their business:

• Live tracking: “The app replaces expensive tracking systems. You can see exactly where every vehicle is.”
• SmartPay: “Before SmartPay, invoicing took up to three days a month. Now it takes minutes.”
• Digital PODs: “Drivers upload delivery proof in 30 seconds. Our customers love the clarity.”
• Integrations: “We’ve synced HX with Xero. One click, and the whole month’s finances are sorted.”

A trusted name across the Exchange

Success on HX isn’t just about turning up, it’s about building trust. Rhys and his team have clocked up over 6,000 reviews on the platform, with glowing feedback from contractors and shippers alike.

Here’s how they win work:

• Repeat relationships: “Some clients book with us directly through HX before even posting a load.”
• High-quality service: “They’d rather pay us a bit more, knowing the job’s done properly.”
• Proactive communication: “If a job can’t be done same day, we call and offer realistic options.”

Their reputation means Direct Connect Logistics are often first-choice hauliers for time-sensitive or complex work. Something Rhys puts down to consistency, honesty, and good communication.

11 years

On the Exchange

6,100+

Positive reviews

What’s next?

The business has now reached a size where Rhys can pick his path.

He’s considering several options:

• Growing the fleet further (with HX backing that growth)
• Outsourcing overflow work to other trusted HX hauliers
• Building more local partnerships via the platform

We’ve got the systems, the contacts and the reputation. HX lets us scale how and when we want.

Rhys Hackling, Direct Connect Logistics

Advice for new hauliers

Rhys is clear: if you’re just getting started in haulage, HX should be your first call.

“You’ve paid for your operator’s licence, your insurance, your truck—and you need work. HX gave us that from day one.”

Even now, the Exchange remains the foundation of their business. As customer needs change and demand shifts, the platform ensures there’s always another opportunity around the corner.

Here are Rhys’ top 3 reasons to use Haulage Exchange:

• “It’s honest.” Load details are accurate, the tracking works, and there’s trust across the platform.
• “It’s scalable.” Whether you’ve got one truck or 20, HX grows with you.
• “It’s fast.” Quoting, tracking, invoicing—it’s all integrated and quick to manage.

Conclusion

From starting again with two trucks and no clients, to running a 18-strong fleet and becoming a Bronze Haulier of the Year, Rhys’s story shows just how powerful Haulage Exchange can be when fully embraced.

“The work’s there. The tools are there. You’ve just got to commit to it.”

Frequently asked questions