UK Transport Awards 2020

11 | SME NEWS - Transport Awards 2020 Logistics Support Services Ltd Best Logistics Solutions Provider 2020 - Lincolnshire & Customer Service Excellence Award 2020 – Lincolnshire Feb20075 Contact: Richard Mitchell Company: Logistics Support Services Ltd Address: 53 Hawthorn Bank, Spalding, Lincolnshire, PE11 1JJ Telephone: 07398 113960 Web Address: www.logisticssupportservices.co.uk Logistics Support Services was formed with a specific purpose. Spalding and its surroundings has a rich heritage of food production and farming. In response to the need to distribute the huge volume of raw materials and finished product in the area, numerous haulage and storage companies have formed, developed and grown. Some of the lesser known companies need support with some aspects of managing their ‘operator licence’ which is a government requirement if they wish to distribute goods. This is where Logistics Support Services comes in. Richard tells us more about the firm and its offering. “We can manage all aspects of the licence - our client may be a one person operation and need to be on the road earning with no time to manage the licence, or they could be a farmer who understands that having their own small fleet is cheaper to run than using one of the larger national distributors. The farmer may not have the Transport Managers CPC which is requirement for a Standard licence involving not just moving their own goods, but being paid by 3rd parties to move other goods to maximise their profitability and offset the costs such as contract hire and wages. “Other clients could have a small fleet of six trucks and be unable to justify paying for a full time transport manager. We can act for them in a part time capacity, helping them to control costs whilst ensuring they are compliant and managing the operator licence undertakings effectively.” Since Logistics Support Service’s inception, the UK transport landscape has changed dramatically in terms of pollution management and the schemes introduced to lower emissions and protect public health - the London ULEZ being a recent example, Richard continues. “Our clients have been affected by this as they have been running trucks that are not currently compliant and therefore liable to fines should they enter the ULEZ in London. Our clients can either retrofit their trucks to the new Euro 6 standards required for inside the ULEZ or sell their existing trucks and buy/hire ones that are Euro 6. Both options are prohibitively expensive for our smaller operators. “We have adapted to these changes by meeting the new challenges head on, primarily by providing education and insight into the new changes, where the zones will be, what vehicles will be affected, and cost implications of not adapting current trucks or purchasing new ones. We help our clients make informed decisions that are in keeping with their budgets, operational and strategic planning. Logistics Support Services is a professional transport management solutions provider offering advice and support and has been operating since 2018. Richard Mitchell, Managing Director, talks to us about the current sector climate. “Innovative solutions we have promoted for our clients are encouraging them to go one step further than reducing emissions and retrofitting old vehicles. We provide information about Hydrogen powered HGV’s as well as the latest developments with battery and hybrid powered trucks.” Logistics Support Services stands head and shoulders above competitors by ensuring it consistently offers excellence, Richard is keen to highlight. “Our reputation precedes us. We have a reputation for innovation and forward thinking, and we love what we do, which is clear to see in the quality of our work. People want to come and work for us, so therefore we rarely have to advertise for staff. “Our customer service excellence is achieved by being always available 24/7, by having our clients referring us on to other potential clients, and by feedback from our current clients. If we are approached and yet unable to solve a problem or provide a solution ourselves we will source a provider with no disruption of service to the client. “In addition to this, we also stay ahead of emerging industry developments. For example, we are members of the Road Haulage Association and receive advice and information direct from them, as well as manufacturers, regarding innovations and trends. We regularly attend seminars and expos such as ‘Freight in the City’ so get to talk to people from with inside the industry and understand developments that will ultimately shape and influence future regulations. More importantly we are closely aligned with the Traffic Commissioners office so are able to understand how current developments will have an impact on future decisions and policies.” “With regards to the future - the future for us holds expansion, hiring of more staff and offering more services. Oh, and moving to bigger offices!”