Seeing it through
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Neil Hodgson succeeded the late Rod Abrahams as managing director of Fortec last autumn. He tells CM how the pair shared a vision to set up a 'quality network' and how that notion now fits within his plans for 2010.
joanna.bourke@rbi.co.uk
LEGENDARY JAZZ singer Nina Simone sang: "It's a new dawn, it's a new day, it's a new life for me, and I'm feeling good." These sentiments could easily apply to the current outlook at Watford-based pallet network Fortec, says managing director Neil Hodgson.
In recent weeks, a number of new members have joined the network, and Hodgson tells CM why he believes the company is stronger than ever, and how he plans to drive the business forward.
The network was founded in 1996 by Rod Abrahams purely to serve Cieodis, but was only opened up to other clients in 2000, making it one of the younger pallet networks.
Following a battle with cancer. Abrahams passed away last year and Hodgson took the helm of Fortec in October 2009.
Hodgson had lengthy stints at TNT and ANC Express during the 80s and 90s. and was with the old Target Express business from 2002 before joining Fortec as regional business relationship manager in 2006 (later becoming network director). -While I was network director at the firm. Rod was actively building the foundations of the company.
"We had the move to the new hub from Euro-park at Rugby, so we could say having an ideal geographic location was one of the first moves ticked off our to-do list."
The quality network
According to Hodgson. Fortec can be differentiated from other networks because of its management. "Rod's vision was that he wanted Fortec to be recognised as the quality network. I see now that my team and I mostly came from a parcel background, and, with hindsight, I believe we were recruited because of this. We want to bring the high levels of service and speed from the parcels sector into the pallet network industry, and we are in a position where we can do this."
'The relationship between parcels and pallets is clearly paying off after Fortec's parent company, Geodis Calberson, formed an alliance with parcels operator APC Overnight in October 2009. AFC's 125 depots now have links with some of 1:once's 68 members.
"There is sometimes the belief that pallet networks are just simply about quickly hauling goods from A to B, but we have proved to operators who carry high-value freight that we have the means and right carriers to ensure quality distribution," says Hodgson.
On 1 February, Thetford, Norfolkbased lam C Couriers joined the network. The courier has had to purchase HGVs to go alongside its traditional van fleet just to join Ferree.
"In what is still a fragile economy, we are seeing companies looking to enter the bulk haulage market [looking] to join us," Hodgson reveals.
High volume throughput
Nationwide Express Parcels, based in Glossop, Derbyshire, and NLH Express Deliveries, which is based in Crewe, Cheshire, have also joined Fortec since the start of the year.
Hodgson says a mixture of new members and exclusive freight from Geodis is leading to encouragingly high volume throughput. Total volumes last year were up 20% on 2008, and 2010 is set to follow suit, with January volumes jumping 30% compared with January 2009's figures.
As well as seeing tangible benefits from its close links with its parent, Hodgson is also looking to emphasise the Geodis brand to strengthen the business: "The Geodis brand gives us a huge amount of credibility, and we plan to capitalise on this," he says.
"I'll be the first to say Fortec has needed more exposure in the past, but through a marketing drive, we are now getting what our company is about out there. I understand Geodis is on an acquisition trail and may want to replicate the Fortec model in other parts or Europe, too."
He adds: "This partnership can only make us more attractive, because we are opening up to a wider market, which will inevitably lead to yet more freight throughput. I see this only as a good thing, particularly for hauliers who may be struggling with dwindling volumes."
Fortec is not a business that is content to just plod along, Hodgson insists.
With excitement, he tells CM about a recent six-figure investment in an IT system, known as ForTrack, that allows members and clients 24-hour access to precise pallet movements.
He also says a new hub could be required in the next three years to cope with Fortec's current growth rate.
"We are getting stronger and our members are winning new clients, and I expect this to continue as we move forward. I maintain, though, our aim is now to be the best, not necessarily the biggest," he insists.
It looks like Abrahams' vision of Fortec becoming the 'quality network is in safe hands. NI
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