H Crabtree Ltd

The freight management company operates from two depots in New Mills in Derbyshire and Calne in Wiltshire with a fleet of more than 50 articulated and rigid vehicles.

Having been operating since 1961, H Crabtree has developed relationships with a number of regional partners and sub-contractors. However, the company recognised the need to find an effective means of expanding this network to possess a haulage capability across the UK, from all major cities and towns to the most remote locations. This would enable it to not only fill empty return load capacity but also outsource any excess work that could not be handled internally by its own fleet.

H Crabtree joined Haulage Exchange more than five years ago. From its headquarters in Derbyshire, the company uses the tool to flexibly maximise and expand capabilities based on exact workload and operational requirements.

The company is able to identify suitable work from transport companies and freight forwarders around the UK to fill any empty fleet capacity, with the company handling on average 50 loads a month that has been identified and secured via Haulage Exchange. H Crabtree also posts any excess work when it does not have a suitable vehicle to carry the load, meaning it can increase capacity during busy trading periods or take on additional jobs in previously unsuitable areas. This has been made possible by accessing more than 5,000 transport businesses across the UK, Ireland and mainland Europe that make up Haulage Exchange.

This is supported by a much wider network of haulage operators that are used on an ad hoc basis and selected based on location, suitability and member feedback. The Haulage Exchange’s unique feedback system has also provided added insight into individual members, providing detailed information in terms of historical performance. This has enabled H Crabtree to make informed decisions about who they work with and have peace of mind that any new partner will provide high levels of freight forwarding services.

Tony Perkins from H Crabtree explains: “Haulage Exchange has become an invaluable tool within our business that we use on a daily basis to get return haulage loads within our operation and handle any surplus work we are unable to handle ourselves. This has been achieved by collaborating with highly professional and valued members that share our commitment to quality, performance and personal service.”

He added: “Haulage Exchange has connected us with a nationwide network of trusted partners to make better use of our available assets and provide added capacity whenever required. By helping us effectively complete our daily workload we have been able to increase the profitability of the business.”

FAT Solutions produces bio diesel from waste cooking oil sourced from local takeaways, and sells the recycled product to bus, coach and taxi operators.

As the company grew, it required a much larger vehicle to carry a growing volume of bio diesel, resulting in Gary obtaining his operator’s license and acquiring his first 7.5-tonne truck. The newly purchased vehicle allowed the business to carry up to four tonnes of cooking oil at any one time.

FAT Solutions continued to expand and eventually began to transition into the haulage industry due to the type of delivery requests made by its customers.

As the progression of the Euro legislations demanded cleaner and more complicated engine systems, the bio diesel aspect of the business began to become less important so the company focused on the haulage opportunities.

Fat Solutions prides itself on the high calibre of service it provides to its clients and implements a ‘small enough to care and big enough to do that job’ mantra.

Since setting up his business ten years ago, Gary has personally ensured that his drivers are highly qualified, capable and reliable.

The drivers are all CPC trained as standard and often receive refresher courses from Gary himself. In fact, he often takes them on difficult jobs to ensure that they continue to act in accordance with his expectations in a safe and efficient way. The business provides high quality and reliable service to its clients on a daily basis, with the capacity to carry anything and everything that will fit into its fleet of vehicles including a varied range of loads from ambient produce to high value mechanical machinery. The company has been able to fulfil all customer expectations by joining Transport Exchange Group’s Haulage Exchange and establishing valued partnerships with other members.

Fat Solutions became a member of Haulage Exchange seven years ago, and since then the business has grown exponentially by using the online freight trading platform.

It enables the company to find jobs located close to its vehicles when they are empty to eliminate dead mileage. The Exchange has provided Fat Solutions with an extensive network of well-matched connections in the haulage industry, so Gary has been able to establish many positive working relationships as well as several longstanding friendships. Commenting on the Haulage Exchange,

In fact, Fat Solutions was recently nominated for the Company of the Year Award at the Transport Exchange Group’s annual award ceremony.

Fat Solutions currently operates a fleet of two 18-tonne Scania trucks, one brand new 18 tonne Mercedes truck, a support van and a motorbike. Its fleet is fitted  with TomTom tracking devices.

The combined use of tracking and the Exchange Mobile App creates a great solution to minimise empty running and maximise profits. In the last twelve months, Fat Solutions was able to purchase a brand new Mercedes truck using the profits it made the previous year.

Gary never thought that he would be in the position to buy new vehicles outright, however thanks to the combination of his diligent work ethic, fantastic reputation and support from the Haulage Exchange he has been able to do so.

The company intends to continue to grow the business without compromising on the high quality of its service.

Yorkshire Logistics Group strongly believe in creating opportunities and trust within their client base, pride themselves on traditional customer values and focus driven support. They offer same day nationwide delivery, waste services, storage and distribution and can accommodate all your business transports requirements under one umbrella.

The Haulage Exchange has helped them run their day to day operations more efficiently, here’s how;

What prompted your initial interest to join us?

We did not have many customers of our own, that was the main issue as well as not having a trading platform.

Before you joined the Exchange, what problems or obstacles did you face?

Due to lack of customers, we did not have many backloads, therefore we had empty vehicles on return journeys and it was difficult to find backloads in the right areas.

Before you became a member, how did you run your operations?

We run our operations the same as we do now, the difference now is we have the backing of the Haulage Exchange, which has been of tremendous benefit to us.

What will you say are the 3 best features of Haulage Exchange?

• We really like the accounting software
• The booking diary and invoicing system is very helpful
• We find the tracking system very

Since joining us, what exact problem has it helped you to resolve?

We have resolved our dead mileage issue as we can now find backloads when and where we need them thanks to the Haulage Exchange. We have also been able to build up a good customer base because of joining the Haulage Exchange.

What difference does the Exchange make in your everyday activities?

We no longer have empty loads, we don’t send drivers home without having a load, therefore no more wasted mileage.

Would you recommend us to others?

We absolutely would if the Haulage Exchange is suited to their needs, we would first make them aware of all the details as the Haulage Exchange is full of quality people.

Do use the Exchange to get extra capacity when you need it?

We do, and it has been very beneficial for Yorkshire Logistics Group.

By getting extra capacity when you need it and using backloads, has it had an impact on the size of the fleet you need to operate yourself?

For us, it has had the opposite effect. Thanks to the Haulage Exchange, we have built up so many customer relationships to the point that we can’t physically keep up with the demand.

We have to decline quite a lot of jobs as we do not have the capacity to accept every job we get given, although we’re growing in size and in fleet.

For me, the answer has rarely been in doubt. I love what I do. I’ve driven a 44-tonne for the last 20 years. It’s a job that I feel privileged to do. Elevated high up in my seat, I’ve got the best view on the entire road. What could be better than that?

Of course, my job comes with tremendous responsibilities and many challenges. Anyone reading this, for example, will already know that margins are wafer-thin, while truck driving isn’t a job for anyone who wants an easy life. It’s exceptionally demanding, and I think I speak for everyone in the industry in saying that Britain’s truckers aren’t afraid of hard work. I know I’m certainly not.

Therefore, if you’re tempted to ditch the day job and work for yourself, it’s vital that you find a way to make truck driving pay for you. I know this from experience. It got to the point where margins were so tight that I was even thinking of leaving the freight industry altogether – something which I never thought that I would consider.

However, thankfully, I found my niche at Haulage Exchange. How? Well, essentially, a decade or so ago, I ran a few vans out of Lincoln – where I’m still based – using Courier Exchange. The work was fairly lucrative and I decided, therefore, to subscribe to CX’s sister platform, Haulage Exchange. Since joining the platform, I haven’t looked back.

But, that said, I’d be lying if I said it was an easy decision to make. It wasn’t. I was sceptical at first because many people make and break promises in this industry, and to some extent you get used to disappointment.

When I first joined, I was immediately impressed with the platform’s smart loading matching capability, which sifts through all the loads on the system and only sends me the ones that match my location and availability.

Nowadays, while I still use smart matching, most of my jobs come from contractors calling me. In my opinion, that’s probably the best thing about the Exchange. It doesn’t just provide you with access to world-class companies, it allows you to communicate directly with them and gives you a unique opportunity to forge long lasting relationships, which, I believe, is the secret to bigger earnings.

It’s impossible not to be excited by the number of loads on the system too. During the last five weeks or so, I would say that my profits have increased by around thirty per cent. But there’s a downside too. Lately, I’ve been so busy that I’ve had to turn jobs down. I’ve recently acquired two owner operator licences, however, and I hope to rectify this in the autumn by buying another 44-tonner.

While I live and breathe the haulage sector, it’s really important to have other interests too. My wife and I own a 32-foot yacht and try to get out on it whenever we can. It’s an expensive pastime to be involved in, but it’s one that my day job allows me to pursue because the Exchange has given me the freedom to work for who I want, when I want, and the funds to put the boat on the water.

I’m hoping of course that when you read this, you’ll be swayed by the industry-leading companies that you can rub shoulders with, not to mention the money you can make if you’re prepared to work hard each hour of each day. But, for me, indulging my passion for the open ocean has really helped me focus on who I am and what I want to achieve. Maybe working as your own boss can do the same for you.

So go on – ask yourself what you want from life. You just might surprise yourself.”

After turning over a quarter of a million in the first year Blue Whale Logistics was set up. It has since established itself as a highly successful and reliable logistics and haulage company in the industry. During its first few years the company achieved an average 28% annual growth. The company has since employed fifteen general staff, six drivers, three warehouse staff and five office workers. The Leicester based business has a wide area of operations, working both locally, nationwide and in Europe. Blue Whale Logistics began operations with a single Mercedes Sprinter. Today the business runs a fleet with a full range of vehicles from small vans to Moffett and crane offload vehicles.

Some of the vehicles are manufactured specifically to ensure they are able to carry loads of all shapes and sizes.

The business provides a high quality transport service to its clients, from a small daily run for a national bakery company to a large contract transporting one thousand port-a-loos for the Glastonbury Festival, also the Olympics.

Blue Whale Logistics recently relocated its office to Enderby from its original site. Now it has a 6,000 square foot warehouse to accommodate its overnight operations and uses three other sites across the county where in excess of 2000 pallets are stored. Since becoming a member of the Haulage Exchange five years ago, Blue Whale Logistics has been able to forge great working relationships with other members of the Exchange. The company often subcontracts work to other Exchange members.

The business has survived two double dip recessions unscathed. John credits this success to the business’s diversity, the capitalisation of sub-contracting and the company’s decision to choose the clients it works with wisely. The company prides itself on its high levels of service and its ability to fulfil its customers’ expectations.

Blue Whale Logistics feels that its diversity enables them to keep one step ahead of the competition.

John aims for the business to continue providing the excellent standard of quality as well as further developing the business and expanding at a steady rate.

John added: “The next step in the business, we are looking to extend our storage facilities. I hope we can carry on with the increases we have experienced over the last 8 years”.

The Bicester based company operates a fleet of four 7.5 tonne vehicles providing transport solutions to clients across the UK. Their modern vehicles are equipped with tail lifts and pallet trucks to minimise waiting times at destination.

Their team has years of experience within the transport industry enabling the company to quickly become the haulier of choice of their business partners for reliability and customer service.

Having been introduced to the to the idea by a fellow haulier, Direct Connect Logistics joined Haulage Exchange two weeks before commencing trading.

Having seen how the Exchange works, founder Rhys Hackling has quickly realised what an effective tool Haulage Exchange is and knew it would make a significant contribution to the business’ turnover, reputation and how it would open the door to a large pool of national business contacts.

Mark Fitzjohn on how the Exchange is making a difference to the Royal Mail’s Courier Services team:

“Providing an industry-leading Same Day Courier Service – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and 365 days a year – is not easy. The market is fast moving, highly competitive and exceptionally demanding, due to the growing online presence of retailers, and the changing dynamics of B2B commerce. Our same day business has always worked hard to overcome these challenges by listening to our customers. Our marketing slogan ‘Fast, Reliable, Now,’ sums up in three words what it is that they want, and we aim to pick-up 98 percent of collections within the hour.”

However, with demand for our services at record levels, we have found recently that our large fleet of Royal Mail subcontractors are at full capacity. Secondly, the industry has become crowded and in some areas – but by no means all – rates have been squeezed.

How Royal Mail uses the Exchange

To stay ahead of our rivals, we’ve incorporated Courier and Haulage Exchange – the UK’s leading freight exchange platforms – into our freight operations. The platforms are proving invaluable to our service team, who look after our same day customers. In one swoop, it has enabled us to meet our customer’s extra capacity demands and, most importantly, gives them the option of a cheaper same-day despatch service.

Our eight operational staff have had access to the Exchange for just over two months now, and during that time they’ve used the platform to post around 250 loads on the Exchange. But this is just the start. With 7.5 tonne trucks in great demand, we also hope to use the platform to boost haulage capacity too.

At the moment, our despatchers are using it during standard business hours, but in the future, we expect that staff serving our overnight customers will have access to CX and HX too, which will no doubt ratchet up our presence on the platform considerably.

I think the best thing about the Exchange is that is gives us and our customers a little more control over pricing. Nine times out of ten, HX will generate a cheaper price for a load than we can offer. Our customers have also been impressed by the high standards of service delivered by Exchange subcontractors, which is maintained by regular real-time feedback and delivered to drivers on a job-by job basis.

While it’s Royal Mail policy not to provide feedback to drivers, when a customer calls us and asks us to find them an HX member to carry their load, we always review a driver’s feedback in the first instance. Only when we’re confident that we’ve found a courier driver who will deliver the consignment in a timely and professional manner, do we take price into account. And as the platform always ensures that the customer receives a competitive price for the job, more often than not, they end up paying less for the journey.

How technology streamlines their fleet management

Technology is key too. To be honest, as we haven’t been using HX for long, we’ve not been fully utilising all of the features. However, we find the Freight Vision live tracking software, which lets us track HX couriers and post updates to customers, the most useful technology. As we begin to use HX more extensively, I have no doubt that we’ll use features such as Quote Manager – which manages the whole booking process online rather than by phone – to help us boost efficiency and productivity.

Finally, while meeting pricing and capacity demands were our main reasons for subscribing to the CX and HX platforms, as a national parcel delivery provider, we also recognise the importance of operating a sustainable freight model. We believe that in the future – with emissions reduction such a hot topic right now freight exchanges platforms – which cut empty miles – can play a part in helping us and our customers lower their carbon footprint.”