InBus_Win09_56-96:InBusiness 1-61 11/12/2009 10:51 Page 81
Logistics | SPECIAL REPORT
“DON’T EXPECT
TRIED AND TRUSTED transaction rather than as a permanent cost and
Aside from the legal issues surrounding their receive other benefits, such as economies of
ANYTHING LESS THAN
delivery operations, the courier company should scale, and these benefits can make a huge
THE BEST POSSIBLE
also be properly insured. A courier service difference. A lot of customers that we’re talking
without insurance is not to be trusted. Make to at the moment are people with their own
SERVICE AND A
sure that the courier company provides fixed costs from having their own vans and
WORKING
compensation for any losses incurred during the trucks on the road and they’re looking to
transport procedures and you should also eliminate that and reduce costs. If they have ten
RELATIONSHIP THAT
determine if the company’s insurance provider parcels one day, then they pay for ten parcels; if
SUITS YOUR NEEDS.”
is reliable and is respected within the they have 100 parcels the next day, then that’s
insurance industry. what they pay for. So it’s important to keep
– John Tuohy
With the market as strained within the costs variable.”
delivery sector as it is everywhere else, Another service which Tuohy advocates is
shortest possible time, a good courier service competition is fierce amongst courier online tracking, whereby you can keep a close
should increase your confidence that your companies. As a result, you shouldn’t expect eye on your package from departure to delivery.
deliveries are properly transported to the correct anything less than the best possible service and This offers full disclosure as well as peace of
destination. It is very important that the courier a working relationship that suits your needs mind. “We invested in our technology
service understands the importance you attach perfectly. According to John Tuohy, you should department and as a result we have an excellent
to your goods. Some parcels need to be receive the service you require, at a price that in-house IT team and we can track parcels and
handled with the utmost care and if a parcel suits your needs. “What companies like customers can make orders online.”
arrives in poor condition, with the contents Nightline Delivers do is we offer other Quality courier services have good records
soiled or broken, it usually useless. businesses access to markets with a shared user when it comes to delivery efficiency. Delays in
“I think reliability and trust are most environment and a shared variable cost. For delivery can have an effect on the reputation of
important,” says Tuohy. “Whether it is an SME example, if a company is distributing goods in a business, damaging company image and
with one package or a major customer with a the Irish market and it puts a company vehicle revenue. If a courier firm causes you delays on
thousand parcels, the first thing people need to on the road, then straight away they have a your transactions with your clients regularly,
know is that their product will go where it’s fixed cost and a fixed overhead and they will then it is time to find a new courier firm.
meant to go. Security is highly important too – have limitations on what that vehicle can do on Founded in 1992, Nightline Delivers is the
a lot of courier companies don’t have a a given day. Alternatively, if the business feeds largest courier company in Ireland with over 500
recognised security certificate in place. Then its deliveries into a good quality shared-user people employed in eight branches in Ireland and
there’s care of goods in transit – you need to courier network, it will have access to a massive Northern Ireland. The company recently
know that your goods won’t be left out in the piece of infrastructure with hundreds of vans on expanded into the UK with the opening of a
rain or be thrown all over the place.” the road and it pays as it uses it, rather than branch in Manchester. For more information call
The relationship between a business and committing to a fixed overhead – that’s 1890 321 890 or visit:
courier service involves trust as the safety and important for export companies. You pay per www.nightline-delivers.com
confidentiality of the contents of your package
becomes the responsibility of the courier
company. Aside from confidentiality issues,
securing a good courier service for transporting
your goods will reduce the possibility of losing
your items that could result in financial losses. In
order for you to ensure your packages are
delivered unharmed, you should be diligent
when it comes to checking the background of
every firm you consider. A trustworthy and
reliable company will have no problems with
providing references from other businesses.
Legal issues about courier services are very
important in determining who is responsible for
the financial losses should accidents occur. To
ensure that your courier company is operating
legally, you should check if they are registered
and fully legitimate. The courier firm should be
able to present legal documents regarding their
operating license as well as the relevant
security certificates. John Tuohy, co-founder of Nightline Delivers.
InBusiness Winter 09 81
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