Uk and European Expiditing

ukexpediter

Expert Expediter
Were a small family business based just outside London,England we specialize in express freight all over the uk ,Ireland ,Euope ,Scandinavia Eastern Europe and North Africa.
We run 12 Vehicles from small van right up to semis .
I love this site its good to see how you guys do things over there,
its so different to the uk !Well hi and I hope to speak to some so you guys soon.Ps Check my website out & give me some feedback [WWW.dsmithexprees.co.uk];) :p
 

louixo

Veteran Expediter
Charter Member
Hello UKexpediter....I took a look at your site. It seems like a good site. Well laid out. The only critique..put your phone number on every page. Over here our biggest user of expediting is the automotive industry, and thier suppliers, which means just about any company that manufactures or warehouses any component that goes into, or on, any given vehicle. Many other products as well. Owner operators, with thier own trucks are the backbone of the industry. I would like to hear an overview, of how you get your frieght moved from point of order to point of delivery. An example. Also, would like to hear about the qualifications for your drivers, and are they independents leased to you,or company drivers. I wasn´t aware that expediting existed anywhere but in the USA. Finally, is your industry there, as competitive as ours?
 

ukexpediter

Expert Expediter
Hello louixo Thanks for the coments on the site. Over here things are done very differently most conignments up to 6 tons are picked up from a customer on C,D and E units then taken to depots to be consolidated with on to semis then trunked to another depot for example in Holland then delivered onwards on small vehicles again this process takes on average 3-4 days point to point all over europe .All the freight fowarders have networks of depots and parteners all over europe but as you can imagine this process is slow and you can get quite a bit of damage were goods are handled severall times Thats were we come in we carry any thing and every thing automotive parts , chemicals,aero parts,electronics ,cell phones probably the same as you guys .There is no expidting industry over here just a few companys like us who have found a niche market FEcc are over here and we do work for them but its mainly the freight fowarders and manufactures we work directly for,general transport here is very competitive but we are considered specialist at what we do so can command good rates. We have mainly employed drivers working for us,we also use some casual (part timers)and I have 2 owner drivers who I work every day .Our A and B units are our buisiest but we need all types to cover everthing!A,Band C units can be driven on a car licence D,E & Semi need a truck licence all our guys have haz mat but other than that there are no formal qualifications only common sense and experience ,Driving through Paris in the rush hour or 3 days @ the Russian border normally sorts the men from the boys!

I hope this answers a few of your questions let me know if I can shed some light on any more.
 

Lawrence

Founder
Staff member
UK Expediter,

Welcome to EO!!

I would like to learn more about expediting in Europe. I know Roberts Express, now FedEx Custom Critical had a expedite division there for years.

Do they call it "expedited freight" there as well? Also, noticed that you have Freightliner Sprinters in your fleet - they are all the rage here. Of course you folks call them Mercedes Benz.

Very nice to hear from you and we look forward to your participation in our Forum!

Thanks,
Lawrence
Expediters Online.com
 

ukexpediter

Expert Expediter
Hi Lawrence
Our expidited freight is generaly known as "specials"ie special delivery .We actually do quite a bit for Fedex about 20% of our work but I Like to keep my fingers in a few pies we seem to keep a steady flow of work all year round! We love Sprinters over here everyone has them but i have had to limit them to 90mph just to get some fuel consumption !

Cheers Stewart
 

ukexpediter

Expert Expediter
Lawrence

Thats 90 Miles per hour in europe the speed limits vary from 75 to 85 mph on the motor way but on the German Autobahns there are no speed limits you just hang on ! That is until some 911 porsche wants to get past!
Stewart:D
 

RichM

Veteran Expediter
Charter Member
Hi and welcome to this site.The most important question is,do they still sell that great beer in the Big 6 Pubs?. If you care to enlighten us I would be interested in knowing how difficult it is to do business in all of the various countries you go to.Also can you give an idea of the expenses you have,I understand diesel fuel in Britain is about $4.00 US per gallon. I lived in France for 7 years and agree that driving in Paris in a truck is an adventure in it!s self. Also can you tell us how you charge customers,here in the US it is generally by the mileages and size of the truck needed.Is it true that trucks are not allowed on the highways on weekends,as they say in your country"Why don!t you pop on over here to Detroit Michigan for the EO trade show on August 15-16. Most of the American companies will be on hand and it would be nice to get a different perspective on expediting. I will even spring for some Coors Light..
 

FJK1954

Expert Expediter
wow..wish i could g 0ver and join you..would love to see europe and make a few bucks while im doing it!! do you run mostly teams or solos and do you have any restrictions on hors per day like we do...just curious...nice to hear from ya all welcome...frank
 

Wild Bill

Veteran Expediter
Charter Member
Retired Expediter
Hi UK,

Around Christmas time I (hopefully) will be visiting friends in the UK for about a month. I am going to Tonbridge in Kent. I will be flying into Heathrow. I would love to come and visit and check out your operation. I was told by my friends you are on the east end of London and right on the way to Kent. :7
 
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