Pictured: Andy Dawkins of Lombard Express, Nick Brown of
Rowleys, Colin Hall of Barclays, Denise Dawkins of Lombard Express,
Craig Shevas of Rowleys
Improved efficiency and a strengthened management team have put
a Northamptonshire storage and pallet business further on the road
to success.
As with many other businesses, the demand for distribution fell
in 2008 and 2009 and Lombard Express - a Kettering-based business
which was established in 1992, knew they had to drive cost savings
within the business at the same time as looking to grow sales.
Working with Barclays Business and accountant Craig Shevas of
Rowleys, owners Andy and Denise Dawkins set about turning around
the fortunes of the business.
The family-run business operates an extensive fleet of
articulated vehicles and collects almost anything on a pallet from
across the county of Northamptonshire before delivering to a
Midlands hub for onward distribution across the UK. They also offer
a collections service from the hub for distribution across
Northamptonshire, thereby ensuring efficient use of fuel and
providing a cost effective solution to numerous local
businesses.
The business has also appointed a new Operations Manager who is
responsible for the day to day running of the deliveries and
collections, and a Sales Manager to develop new business, allowing
owners Andy and Denise to concentrate on the strategic growth plans
for the business. They have also identified the need to invest in
IT systems to enable the business to manage the increased client
base as well as further investment in vehicles and staff which has
been supported financially by Barclays Business.
Andy Dawkins of Lombard Express said: "With the cost of fuel
being so high, many businesses are having to review their
distribution costs. Also many businesses are considering their
'green' credentials and looking for alternative ways of
distributing their goods without the need to operate their own
fleets. We have also attracted new customers who have discovered
the economic and environmental benefits of pallet distribution over
general haulage. We pride ourselves on providing a high level of
service which has ensured that we retain our customers. As a
result, our sales have grown by an impressive 32% in 2011."
His wife and joint owner, Denise Dawkins added: "Colin Hall, our
Barclays Business Support Director has, in our opinion, completely
changed how we think and work our business. We are now in a strong
position to face the challenges of the next few years, leaving us
with a sound base to build on when the economic climate changes for
the better."
Colin Hall, Director from Barclays Business Support said: "I am
delighted that we have been able to support Andy and Denise in
lifting their business and its finances onto a strong and
sustainable platform for the future."