International Forwarding Ltd (IFL) has celebrated its 35th year in business – with ambitions for the future, a big thanks to its dedicated staff, and, of course, a giant cake.
The Birmingham-based firm has been providing independent freight forwarding and logistics services since 1989. In 35 years it’s grown from just three members of staff and a single vehicle to:
- 75 employees and 25 trucks in its fleet
- 10,000-15,000 consignments handled monthly for Europe and the UK.
- 165,000 sq ft of storage space in its growing warehousing portfolio
- One of 120 independent transport providers that make up the Palletways UK network, which also turned 30 this year
The team has also celebrated many long-service anniversaries over this period, with some of the longest-serving staff being: Operations Director, Trisha Slater (24 years); Export Manager, Stuart Timms (26 years) and Development Director, Nigel Parsons (35 years).
Rising to industry challenges
Rob Pike, Managing Director, IFL, said: “It’s been an interesting five years for the transport and logistics industry. But I’m happy to say that we’ve risen to every challenge that’s come our way and will continue to do so.
“I’m enormously proud of our staff and what we’ve achieved together in such challenging times – from Brexit’s impacts on our core European freight services to being a key service provider during Covid-19 lockdowns. In this period, we’ve also expanded our warehousing portfolio and continue to invest in more energy-efficient vehicles to meet targets on carbon emissions.”
A solid foundation for growth
Andy Grubb, Sales Director, IFL, added: “Moving forward, our company’s growth strategy is centred around expanding our service offerings, increasing our market presence, and enhancing our operational efficiency. By investing in technology, talent and infrastructure we aim to solidify our position as a leader in the transportation and warehousing industry, and drive sustainable growth for the long term.
“At the heart of our company’s success lies a solid foundation built on unwavering dedication, unmatched expertise, and a commitment to excellence. Our strength lies in our people, our processes, and our passion for delivering exceptional service. Together, we stand resilient, ready to overcome any challenge and seize every opportunity that comes our way.”
Tributes paid to Roy Baker
It’s been a year tinged with sadness, however. In April, Roy Baker passed away. Roy was IFL’s original managing director. He continued working part-time as a director until last year, providing technical advice, helping customers navigate Brexit regulations and writing updates for the IFL website.
Roy was also a well-known figure in the UK transport and logistics industry, and for 13 years was a member of the board of the British International Freight Association (BIFA).
Read more:
- Tributes paid to Roy Baker
- Roy Baker’s obituary in BIFAlink
- Interview with Roy on IFL’s 30th anniversary
35 years of freight forwarding excellence
“International Forwarding is a transport company committed to delivering exceptional service and exceeding customer expectations every step of the way,” said Nigel Parsons, IFL Development Director.
While there may be more challenges to come in the freight business in the next 35 years, from environmental issues to advances in technology, there are also opportunities that go alongside these. As a well-established operator in the industry, IFL is confident that it will take these in its stride.
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