Teesside freight company franchisee Alistair McDonald is celebrating the third anniversary of his business with a move into UK Steel Enterprise’s prestigious Innovation Centre, enabling him to take on his first employee and start recruiting for a second.
Speedy Freight has doubled its previous office space by expanding into the Innovation Centre based on the Kirkleatham Business Park at Redcar. The company’s 24/7 service and ability to deliver parcels at speed and without delays has seen its business on Teesside grow rapidly.
“We are now covering Darlington as well as across Teesside and Sunderland,” said Alistair. “I am really pleased with progress as turnover is building well year on year. I needed to take someone on to help meet the growing demand but didn’t have the space in my previous office. I now hope to be recruiting for a second sales development role as well very soon.
“I chose the Innovation Centre for the quality of the offices and for facilities such as the ample free parking, manned reception area and the gym and sauna available on site – although I’ve been far too busy to use those yet!”
Former soldier Alistair had already been supported by UK Steel Enterprise, the Tata Steel business-support subsidiary, with a £3000 loan from its Regeneration Fund in 2015.
“That funding meant a lot as it helped me get up-and running which is an expensive time,” said Alistair who has always wanted to be his own boss. “The Speedy Freight franchise is part of the Eddie Stobart Group and it really appealed to me as a great opportunity to start my own business but with support behind me.
“Now I have the extra space I need and help from the on-site UK Steel Enterprise team as well as being part of a friendly business community.”
Speedy Freight specialises in the delivery of time-sensitive items as well as fragile, high value and heavy or difficult to handle loads delivering Teesside freight items 24/7 across the UK and abroad.
Its express service picks up parcels within an hour of receiving a phone call and promises delivery within 24 hours thanks to its network of 5000 vehicles ranging from small vans to transits and trucks. Tees-based companies from printers to engineering firms are now regular customers.
Diane Parker, of UK Steel Enterprise, said: “Speedy Freight has settled in quickly. We are very pleased that Alistair and his growing team chose our Innovation Centre as a base and that our Regeneration Fund was able to help him start up his business. We aim to provide offices and workshops, costing from as little as £50 a week, alongside a range of facilities that smaller businesses need to help them grow and create new jobs.”
For details of UKSE’s support for business see www.uksteelenterprise.co.uk or call 01642 777 777. Speedy Freight is on 01642 931580 and www.speedyfreight.co.uk