Richard Spencer started There Today Couriers in 1988 with a clear goal – to respond quickly to customer demand and build a business he could be proud of.
So, when customers started asking for same-day delivery, Richard didn’t hesitate to say yes.
“We started as an overnight parcel service. But the phone kept ringing with people asking, ‘Can you get it there today?’ So we did,” Richard explains.
But meeting that growing demand meant rethinking how the business operated.
Over the years Richard has transformed the business from managing a courier fleet, to a lean, tech-powered operation built entirely on trusted subcontractors.
A transformation made possible by Haulage Exchange.
Here’s how they did it.
Approach
In the early years, There Today Couriers operated as a traditional transport company.
“I had six or seven vans and ten staff, and I had to make sure that everybody was in. Everything was working, everything was rolling.” Richard recalls.
But it left little room to scale easily.
That all changed when Richard heard about Haulage Exchange from a courier subcontractor who dropped into the office.
“Upon investigation, I found what worked, how it worked, and what a useful platform it could be.” he says.
As demand for urgent deliveries grew, Haulage Exchange allowed There Today Couriers to stay agile. Jobs could be posted at any time of the day, with trusted drivers sourced quickly based on proximity, feedback, and price.
We no longer have to have vehicles on standby waiting for work. Haulage Exchange allows us to take work at any moment of the day, jump on it and keep a customer
Richard Spencer, Founder, There Today Couriers
The transition to using subcontractors gave the business national reach without the burden of managing a physical fleet.
“We use Haulage Exchange every working day of life and sometimes at the weekends.” he adds.
With tools like live driver tracking and Trustd verification built into the platform, managing operations has become faster, more accurate, and less stressful.
More importantly, it’s allowed Richard to focus on what matters most: delivering fast, reliable service and growing the business without limits.
Results
Since joining Haulage Exchange in 2002, There Today Couriers has evolved and adapted through plenty of changes – from Brexit and Covid to rising customer expectations.
The thing that I’m most pleased about that Exchange allowed me to do is to stay profitable in business for this many years.
Richard Spencer, Founder, There Today Couriers
The Exchange has changed too – and the improvements have helped There Today Couriers deliver an even better service.
“One of the best improvements I’ve seen in the Exchange over the last couple of years is the way in which drivers bid for jobs.” Richard explains.
“It used to be that once we posted a job on the Exchange, then we would be inundated with phone calls. And now, because it’s automated on the platform, we can filter drivers by proximity, their feedback and price.”
That confidence is reinforced by Trustd, which helps them see which drivers meet their standards. “Trustd means we’ve got the confidence to use members who will understand our requirement and carry it out to the letter, because they’ve got feedback that they need to keep up to date.” he says.
Richard also highlights how important it is to work with subcontractors they trust.
“They’re the face of our business. And the Exchange gives us the confidence that they’ll do the job properly – just as we would.” he explains.
By working with Trustd subcontractors and utilising the platform’s tools, Richard has amassed thousands of positive feedback and build lasting customer relationships.
5 years
As a HX member
2,402
Positive reviews
“We don’t lose any customers because Exchange allows us to satisfy them all.” Richard says.
Conclusion
23 years on, Richard has achieved his goal of being able to respond quickly to customer demand and build a business he could be proud of.
Reflecting on his journey, there’s just one thing he’d change.
If I had to build this business again from day one, the first thing I would do is sign up to this Exchange.
Richard Spencer, Founder, There Today Couriers
His advice to others thinking about joining is simple:
“Do it, because with Haulage Exchange you have got limitless resources in terms of haulage carriers who are available to you at short notice, who know the rules that will help you develop your business.” he explains.
“Our strapline at There Today Couriers is collect, deliver, communicate. That’s how I would base the success of this business.” Richard says.
Haulage Exchange allows There Today Couriers to do just that – faster, better, and more reliably than ever.
