As the largest provider of shipping, storage and distribution services to and from the Channel Islands, privately-owned Ferryspeed could easily be forgiven for sitting-back and relying solely on its core business traffic to Guernsey and Jersey. However, Ferryspeed does not rest easy on its laurels.

Over the past 12 months Ferryspeed has introduced an enhanced service to the Isle of Wight; has developed its Commercial Team; increased its freight forwarding business overseas; is about to ‘go live’ with a new IT system that will revolutionise all working practices to provide enhanced customer service levels; opened a brand new distribution centre in The Midlands and strengthened its management team with the recruitment of six new employees.

Nigel Klimesch, Business Development Manager, with over 30 years experience in the logistics and shipping industry, particularly European Logistics, joins the Commercial Team alongside Dean Sotnick, Alan Johnson and Fred Rowland. He has been brought in to focus on sales and expansion across the UK, paying particular attention to the Midlands region and developing the new facility in Rugby, which is ideally situated South of Leicester, East of Birmingham and Coventry and close to Northampton and Kettering.

Also supporting the Commercial Team whilst focusing on expanding and driving forward the UK pallet division – Ferryspeed provides a range of next day and economy nationwide & European delivery options for palletised consignments – moving anything from a single pallet through to a full load – Craig Stevens joins the company as Business Development Manager – a challenge he is ready for with extensive industry experience and market knowledge behind him.

Craig will support David Houghton, Group Development Manager, on the pallet side of the business. David joined Ferryspeed back in 2011 and concentrates on commercial development and management of freight services in the UK.  David has been involved in the shipping industry since he left college, with over 20 years spent with DSV and is passionate about the industry.

David said: “The additional support from Craig will allow me to focus on managing and assisting front line sales. I want to be instrumental in expanding the freight forwarding side of the business locally and nationally whilst actively working on new business overseas.”

Lee Hollands, Development Manager and Anna Pether, Customs Controller, have both recently been recruited to focus on customs support and steer and manage the implementation of a new, state of the art IT system update.  Anna will play a key role in training other team members to use the new system.

Lee, who previously worked at Condor Logistics for nine years, said: “The new IT system currently being introduced into the company is a web based solution that will transform the way we do business – it will provide a unique supply chain visibility platform for our customers and increase efficiency levels throughout operations – from customer order through to delivery. Customer confidence is paramount in keeping on-going relationships and this system will ensure better levels of communication and clarity throughout the ordering process.”

Louise Pattenden, Customs Co-Ordinator, has only been with the company a few months and is already relishing in her new role looking after Ferryspeed’s key account customers. Also from Condor Logistics, having spent over three years in a similar role, Louise said: “I’ve only been in the freight industry for four years so I am continually learning new skills everyday – I have a great team support structure around me and want to use my past experience in customer service and management and bring it to the table. Staff are given such strong support at Ferryspeed and I hope to grow professionally and personally as the company moves forward.”

Stan Markland, Managing Director, Ferryspeed, said: “As a company we are excited about the future and are continually looking ahead– long-term growth is our aim, not short-term gain. Expanding upon our principle service sector areas allows a certain level of freedom and flexibility – we are able to look at international trade relations, invest in new technology and increase our number of UK depots without compromising on core business foundations and strengths. We are proud of our achievements to date.

“We are also continually looking to invest in our workforce – up-skilling our existing team members and driving recruitment in areas that will benefit our end customers.”