The Shiply office has been buzzing as we received news of our top 10 position in the list of the UK’s Top 100 Startups. The list is comprised of whole host of companies that have found new and innovative ways to do business and engage with their customers. Sitting pretty at number nine, Shiply has seen off fierce competition from astounding companies such as Zoopla, SeatWave and yes, even, Reggae Reggae Sauce.
Startups.co.uk also explained why they felt we were deserving of such a high ranking:
“The result is a reduction in CO2, cheaper delivery options for customers, and more profitable delivery routes for transport companies. Shiply’s commission-based revenue model has seen company turnover enjoy a 10-20% monthly growth rate over the past year, and Robert has bagged a whole trophy cabinet’s worth of awards along the way.”
We’d like to thank Startups for the recognition, which sits very nicely next to our win of Startups green start up of the year 2009. Thanks to all involved.
Author: Anthony Marriage
100km Long Traffic Jam in Beijing
Since August 14 truck drivers and everyday road users in Beijing have been subject to a traffic jam stretching 100km long. Now in its ninth day, the standstill on the Beijing-Tibet Expressway has left frustrated deadlocked truck & delivery drivers in their daily transport of goods in and out of the capital. The traffic jam has arisen as a result of continued roadworks that are not expected to be completed until late September.
The vast increase in trucks, which reached a daily peak of 17,000, have contributed to the jam and run the risk of affecting the road safety of local drivers. Niu Fengrui, director of the Institute for Urban and Environmental Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences told said: “If there’s no traffic jam in the city, that would be news.
However, the standstill has not put a dampener on everyone’s spirits; one local joked: “concerts should be held at each congested area every weekend, to alleviate drivers’ homesickness”. Many drivers stuck in the traffic jam have used their now considerable free time to play chess or cards, whilst local entrepreneurial vendors have seized the opportunity to sell tired drivers noodles and drinks.