AE Hancock ltd, a haulage business based in Stockport, has virtually eliminated empty capacity and increased the profitability of its business after joining Haulage Exchange at the beginning of the year. Since becoming a member of the freight trading platform, the company has been able to fill over 90 per cent of empty return loads resulting in a 20 per cent boost in turnover in the first month alone worth £8,000.

AE Hancock realised they were not making best possible use of their fleet because they did not possess the necessary network of trusted partners and customers nationwide to avoid high levels of empty running. By gaining access to the Haulage Exchange’s network of more than 3,000 transport businesses located across the UK, Ireland and mainland Europe, the company has been able to secure a significant number of loads per month through the platform by listing available capacity and identifying suitable loads that match with the locations of their vehicles.

The company has been able to develop valued relationships with like-minded hauliers, including a core network of 20 operators that are responsible for a growing proportion of the additional loads. Furthermore, AE Hancock has been able to identify additional business prospects, so its investment strategy has been aligned to meet precise need of other members. For example, the company has become FORS (Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme) accredited to take advantage of increased demand for work in London, while the planned acquisition of an 18-tonne curtainside vehicle with tail lift is a direct result of the opportunities that exist on the Exchange.

The simple, responsive and intuitive nature of Haulage Exchange has also meant AE Hancock has been able to use the freight trading platform without creating any administrative burden internally. In fact, using its invoice system has helped the company save time and streamline their billing processes. Meanwhile, the added support provided by the dedicated customer management team means that any queries are answered immediately and issues quickly resolved.

Dawn Hancock from AE Hancock ltd commented: “Haulage Exchange has become an integral part of our day-to-day operation, supporting our ambitions to grow the business. We had previously been reliant on our customer base within the north west of England, but now have access to opportunities across the UK and internationally. The impact was almost immediate, helping us to effectively fill available capacity and make best use of our assets.”

Lyall Cresswell, Managing Director of Transport Exchange Group said: “Haulage Exchange offers an effective means of boosting the efficiency and profitability of its members by helping to fill available capacity and improve workload. These organisations can better control operational costs, increase margins and target business expansion by getting connected and engaged with other like-minded businesses. This proven value has resulted in a third of members being part of the Exchange for more than five years.”

ENDS

ABOUT TRANSPORT EXCHANGE GROUP

Transport Exchange Group is the leading provider of managed trading services for the road transport industry, operating the two largest, busiest and fastest-growing freight exchanges – Haulage Exchange and Courier Exchange – in the UK, Ireland and mainland Europe. With over 4,500 active users trading some 500,000 movements during the past 12 months, Transport Exchange Group has a successful and proven track record to tackle some of the most common and difficult challenges facing the supply chain sector.

Using the Transport Exchange Group’s freight trading platform, couriers, owner drivers, hauliers, freight forwarders and logistics providers can get connected and engage with other like-minded businesses to access a virtual fleet of more than 30,000 vehicles. As a result, these operators are able to identify, develop and maintain lasting relationships with partners and subcontractors to create trusted networks, boost operational efficiency and increase profitability.