IN BIZ NC APRIL MAY 2021.qxp_A4 size 24/03/2021 10:24 Page 26
TALKING BUSINESS
KEEPING THE COUNTRY MOVING Crisis Logistics has kept some of the globe’s best known brands on the road during the past 12 months and helped deliver PPE to support the UK’s fightback against coronavirus. Managing director EDWARD GRANT-SALMON reveals how the multi-million pound independent logistics firm also managed to expand its business in 2020 and talks about its growth plans for the future. Last year brought many businesses to a standstill but not Northampton-based logistics specialists, Crisis Logistics. Throughout three nationwide lockdowns the firm kept products belonging to some of the world’s biggest brands and organisations on the move, helped to deliver the UK’s stock of PPE, food and drink and supported some of our most vulnerable citizens through food drops. For most businesses this would be more than enough to handle but at the height of the first national lockdown the firm also pressed ahead with its exciting plans to move from its old premises in Holcot and Wellingborough into a purpose-built 15,000 sq ft base in Hannington. Managing director Edward Grant-Salmon said: “We’re very pleased that we pushed ahead with our decision to make the move last May. The move has been fantastic - particularly for Transport planner Alex Malai our drivers who for the first time are based at the same premises as our office staff. Our drivers are on the road most of The high level of service it offers was recognised when it the time so the fact they now come back to a base where they achieved the ISO9001 quality accreditation. can see other team members has been really good for morale – “We’re very proud of our ISO9001 quality accreditation although obviously any social interaction is currently in line with because we take quality very seriously,” said Edward. “The Government guidelines.” quality of the service we offer is down to our friendly and When the firm was looking for help to make its new base feel professional team – some of whom have been with us for 20 like home to its 350 drivers and around 50 office-based years. Everyone in our Operations Management Team, staff it immediately turned to fellow Chamber our Accounts Team and our drivers have all played members for support. a role in our success. There’s a real family T3 Signs produced Crisis Logistics’ new atmosphere here and our team means signage, Syncro Office Technology organised ‘WE’RE PROUD TO everything to us. their printers and GPW Consulting looked BE THE LOGISTICS “We’re proud to be the logistics partner for after their health and safety needs. some of the world’s best-known organisations PARTNER FOR SOME Edward said: “We’re delighted to be Silver and brands and to have the support of so many OF THE WORLD’S Chamber Business Partners and are always keen local businesses. The reason we have such a BEST-KNOWN to support the local economy as around 85% of thriving customer base is that everyone receives our business comes from Northamptonshire. ORGANISATIONS’ the same high quality of service from us – “Looking back on last year, working with whether they use us once a year or 20 times a year. fellow Chamber members was just one of the “In addition to our top-quality service we also things of which we can be proud. We did a lot of have 350 vehicles, ranging from small vans to large work for the Government and indirectly for the NHS, articulated lorries. The combination of our high levels of which included delivering PPE to vaccine centres. It means a customer service and high volume of vehicles means we stand great deal to us to know that we supported our country’s apart from our competitors in the surrounding area. Our clients infrastructure during these difficult times. also appreciate that when they need us they can contact a team “During the pandemic we’ve loaned vehicles and drivers to in the county, rather than a call centre somewhere else. They Northamptonshire County Council and a number of local know where we are and we know our customers very well and charities to help deliver supplies to those in need around our what they require from us.” county. We’ve also donated food and toiletries to fellow So, what is next for this exciting firm? Well, it has recently Northamptonshire Chamber members, the Hope Centre, which taken on three new, young staff members and not content with supports homeless and disadvantaged adults. We were proud to its success in the logistics market the firm has got its eye on help the charity provide food parcels to families in need all over other sectors that it is keen to make inroads into. Northamptonshire and to get them to where they needed to go.” Edward explained: “We have an incredibly strong sales The future is also looking bright for the thriving firm which pipeline for our logistics business and we’re also looking at has seen its business grow dramatically during the last few other markets such as the storage market and the parcels years. Over the past six years, the company has grown market. We are actively looking to acquire a new warehouse significantly, with an underlying turnover of £16m, and it has with the capacity to store 15,000 pallets and the parcels market plans in place to enable it to grow to well in excess of £20m. is another area which we could easily grow alongside our Its continued success is driven by two things – firstly its ethos existing business.” that ‘Customer and Cash is King’ and secondly its commitment to providing a high-quality service to its customer base of Visit: www.crisislogistics.co.uk around 900 clients. Call: 01604 642127 26 inbusiness APRIL/MAY 2021
