Given that Eddie Stobart recorded record profits this week, which we posted up on Tuesday. We thought it only right that our Friday video should include them.
It’s a big long for a prank phone call, but had us laughing anyway! Enjoy and have a cracking weekend.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1an2G847qw]
Today, in the Daily Telegraph Shiply were featured as “The Disrupters” in the business section. The feature is well known in the business world as showcasing SME’s demonstrating rapid growth and those shaking up industries.
The piece, written by Andrew Cave was very complimentary and went deep into the core of our business to explain the purposes behind what we are doing here at Shiply.
You can read the Telegraph article in full here.
Despite the economic downtime and the road haulage industry in turmoil, Eddie Stobart have increased their year-end revenue nearly 400%. Their big secret – avoiding empty running.
Pre-tax profits have jumped to £23.9m from £3.5m.
Here’s what the chief exec Andrew Tinkler had to say:
“Our innovative cost model is really the key to our continued success. In simple terms, the customer only pays for what he needs. If he wants 50 trucks one day then 100 the next we can do this because of our size and national reach. We also pool all our customers together and view them as one large customer.
“This means our own-branded Eddie Stobart trucks can drive into a customer to drop off and then go to another customer nearby to load up. The key difference is that our trucks are planned to avoid empty running.
“Minimising empty running and maintaining high fleet utilisation enables us to share savings with customers. This model is very different to most hauliers’, who operate more traditional open book arrangements.
“Stobart is able to provide a flexible service because of its advanced IT planning systems and its ‘Tramper’ drivers, who sleep in their cabs; allowing them to travel the UK freely as they follow the collection and delivery details that are uploaded electronically direct to their in-cab displays.”
Now, of course we all know that Eddie Stobart is a giant, however, the same business principles can be applied no matter what your size.
What Eddie Stobart have demonstrated (on a large scale) is what can be achieved by keeping your fleet running as close to full as possible at all times.
We hope this provides some inspiration and demonstrates what is possible. We hope Shiply is one part of the jigsaw which will enable you reach full business potential.
Firstly, apologies for missing our usual video post on Friday. We’ve gotten emails from avid followers who are far from happy at missing our weekly pick.
However, better late than ever. This one we couldn’t quite believe, it was in the major papers, but what makes it even more shocking for us is that it is about a 10 second walk from our Manchester office! Glad I am no longer driving over this road!
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apbMBluo36Y]
What makes us laugh most is the guy who thinks it’s a good idea to wander up and take a look in just after it collapses.
Good to know our council tax is being used well though, eh?! Shocking.
Shiply has been shortlisted for the 2009 Observer Ethical Awards.
The Observer Ethical Awards are instrumental in bringing green issues to the forefront of consumer minds and making businesses reassess their attitudes towards sustainability. The awards recognise those who pioneer a sustainable future and identify products, ideas and companies that make ethical living possible.
We are up for the Jupiter Big Idea award along with Nature Paint and RSA. Judging was conducted by a celebrity panel including: Jo Wood, Ben Okri, Rick Edwards and Deborah Meaden.
We look forward to the awards ceremony in early June.
As you may have seen (if and when you are logged in), we now have a link to leave feedback. It’s located on the left of the screen.
We work hard to ensure that we are performing as best as we can and so need your feedback to let us know if you think we are on the right tracks or to suggest improvements.
We love constructive criticism, so please do use the feedback tab to let us know what you think!
We are very pleased to announce that after countless hours of development, Shiply Mobile is now officially live. It is completely FREE OF CHARGE to all of our members.
Shiply mobile can be viewed from any mobile device, such as the iPhone, blackberry, PDA’s, smartphone, or even that banged up old Nokia sitting in your drawer at home. So, now you can access Shiply in a friendly, quick format wherever you are.
Shiply mobile has been designed for both transport providers and users. Here are the main features:
Transport Providers
Users
We are really proud of Shiply Mobile and hope that it will make using Shiply on the go, that much easier and quicker.
The platform is under beta status, whilst we have carried out loads of testing, we do expect there to be the odd little bug here and there. So, if you do find any, please let us know! Also, please do tell us what other functionality you would like to see.
We hope you enjoy using Shiply Mobile as much as we have enjoyed making it. Expect more exciting developments soon!
The mobile site can be accessed via: http://m.shiply.com.
Walking down the street with my girlfriend just the other day, she swung her arm around and almost shouted “what the hell is that!!”. Expecting to need to duck for my life, I turned only to be met with the huge presence of one of TK Maxx’s new lorries.
The picture doesn’t really do it justice, it is an absoulute monster!
According to TK Maxx:
We’ve been among the first to get these supermodels on the road. They are another aerodynamic innovation predicted to reduce carbon emissions by an estimated 10%.
Not only that, but we think they’re a great way of maximising load space – that is so long as they can use all of it!!
It’s great to receive recognition for the work we have put in, and so we are pleased to announce that we have been shortlisted for four prestigious environmental awards.
SME Innovation Award
We are constantly looking for ways to help our users when moving their goods. So, we have compiled a number of articles which should help you when moving and transporting those larger, bulkier goods.
Our collection of moving articles include how to transport; an oven, a washing machine, a dishwasher, a BBQ, a sink, a fridge freezer, a bed, a bookcase, a chest of drawers, a bed side cabinet, a chaise longue, a lamp and other large an bulky items.
We hope these handy little articles will help next time you are moving such goods.
There’s many more to come! So keep your eyes peeled.